Five to watch from Killarney: A Supreme Novice third vying for Cheltenham glory four years on

In the final two days of the Killarney Festival, James Stevens picks out some runners who you should keep an eye on.

Brutal - 7:10 Friday
The burgundy colours of Qatar aren't often seen jumping hurdles, but Brutal may be a trendsetter. Gordon Elliott's three-year-old looks a smart prospect, having a flat rating of 101 and finishing fifth in the Group One Racing Post Trophy as a juvenile. He made a fine introduction to hurdles, winning a maiden event at Cork in good fashion. This test is tougher, but he's currently the favourite for the 2018 Triumph Hurdle and expectations are very high.

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Timiyan was a former winner on the flat for Dermot Weld

Timiyan - 7:40 Friday
Timiyan has the profile of a horse that can win a big handicap at the Cheltenham Festival. Gordon Elliott thinks very highly of this horse, who was an impressive winner on two starts earlier this season. He struggled last time in the Galway Hurdle, but is clearly much better than that, and looks to be progressing. This is a six-year-old with a big win in him.

Cymro - 1:30 Saturday
Making his hurdles and stable debut is Cymro, who has switched from Cheshire-based Tom Dascombe's yard to join Joseph O'Brien. He was a very good horse on the flat, rated 105, who once beat a great horse in Sir Issac Newton in a maiden. He even ran well in the Ormonde Stakes, finishing two lengths off a Group Three win. Nobody has a real idea of how good he will be over hurdles, but on his flat record he could be very good.

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Rathvinden was five lengths off Cheltenham glory in the 2014 Supreme Novice Hurdle

Rathvinden - 3:45 Saturday
For Willie Mullins' Rathvinden chasing has been all too easy. The nine-year-old has been absent for a number of years, and has always been a smart horse in the Closutton yard. He was third in the Supreme Novices back in 2014, beaten not too far by stable companion Faugheen. Four years later he's novice chasing, and going very well too. He finished second when needing the run at Ballinrobe, but has won his last two very easily. He will be well fancied to complete a hat-trick.

Santiago De Cuba - 4:55
In a intriguing bumper event, another for Joseph O'Brien who is out to prove his promise. He made a winning start on his debut, beating some good sorts in good style at this track a month ago. This four-year-old is bred pretty well and could be a Champion Bumper horse if he lives up to expectations. Willie Mullins' pair Poet Power and Vittorio look to be a big challenge, as does Gavin Cronwell's Soleglad.

Gordon Elliott's history-making Brutal tops Triumph Market after impressive Cork victory

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Cheltenham Festival’s top trainer Gordon Elliott enjoyed his first trained winner for Qatar Racing, as Brutal made a winning debut over hurdles.

Elliott, whose best horses have been with leading Irish owners Gigginstown, is one of the leading National Hunt handlers, and has paid back some trust for the Qatari’s with an impressive win at Cork.

The four-year-old skipped over hurdles with ease, before pulling clear of the field in impressive style under Davy Russell.

"It wasn't the strongest race in the world, but he did what he did and will improve from it and will have to improve going forward," said the County Meath handler.

"I think he's a nice horse and had a good (Flat) rating.

"I'd have to say a big thanks to Qatar Racing and Sheikh Fahad for sending him to me as it's my first runner in those colours.

"Like a lot of those juveniles after their first run, they will go up or down or stay where they are.

"We've often had horses that were rated 60 (on the Flat) and they end up being better than the 100-rated horses, so it's how they take to it the next day is how you know."

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Brutal was defeated by 3 1/2 lengths by Rivet in the Racing Post Trophy last October

Brutal has bags of potential after some top form as a juvenile, when with Ger Lyons he most notably  finishing fifth place finish in the competitive Racing Post Trophy.

The three-year-old has currently been installed as the 25-1 favourite for the Triumph Hurdle following his encouraging defeat of Grey Waters.

Espoir D’Allen also is vying for Triumph glory, he’s owned by JP McManus and won the same French bumper that last year’s hero Defi Du Seuil won before switching to Phillip Hobbs’ setup.

The one-time winner on the flat heads the market along with French raiders Empreinte Reconce and Grand Sancy.

Elliott may begin to train more Qatari horses in the coming years, and their illustrious pedigree could give them some force over jumps.