16:00 Cheltenham
Saturday 28 January 2017
All12:0012:3513:1013:4514:1514:5015:2516:0016:35
galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2)
- 5YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 7f 213y | Soft (Good to Soft in places) | 15 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 5m 59.3s
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Improved over hurdles last year winning twice at Cheltenham in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle and the International Hurdle. Odds-on in both chase starts but back to hurdles last two starts finishing fourth in the Lanazarote at Kempton on last start to Modus and steps up again in trip here.
Shown some top-class form over both fences and hurdles and was a Grade 1 winner in France in June. Finished third in France subsequently and fourth at Ascot last time out where his effort looked a bit laboured behind Unowwhatimeanharry.
Has shown form in plenty of long distance events over the years including this one (won this in 2013) and placed in 2015. Looked as though age may well be catching up with him on last two starts however and well beaten so far this season.
Has made amazing progress since joining his current yard, firstly in handicaps and then taking the Albert Bartlett at the Festival last season. Won both starts this year and still looks to be on an upward curve as he heads towards the Stayers Hurdle at the Festival this time around.
Capable of some smart form but has had a rather luckless season after winning at Chepstow off 148 in October. Fallen in two subsequent starts and was upsides the winner but under pressure when falling at the final flight on his last start when beaten by Unowwhatimeanharry. Has the ability to make a race of it with the Long Walk winner here.
Winner over fences at the Festival last year and capable of equally smart form over hurdles although has failed to fire on his last two starts. Has work to do here with Unowwhatimeanharry on his Ascot form in the Long Walk.
Only one win to his name from a modest Newton Abbot Novice hurdle but has run well in better company and has shown that he can handle this track. Running a good race when unseating at the final flight at Ascot last time out in the Long Walk and would probably have finished third; interesting to see if he can improve on that here.
Prolific winner in France when winning 11 of her 14 starts including a Grade 1 chase and an expensive recruit for the owner in the summer. Had her first outing for current connections at Leopardstown in December when a respectable fifth behind Vroum Vroum Mag and back from a break. Not totally convincing at this trip but worth keeping an eye on given her smart French form.
Former winner of the World Hurdle but has seemingly struggled since that win and doesn't look the same force that he once was. Third in the Relkeel Hurdle last time out but much more needed here.
Showed some improved form over fences last season although hasn't quite gone forward this season despite shaping well on a couple of occasions and his jumping has also been an issue. This is a tough ask on his return to hurdles.
Should know his way around here having run at the course 20 plus times and had his biggest win when taking this race in 2014. Not getting any younger and a surprise if he could take this again although it would be foolish to rule out a bold show.
Useful sort over hurdles and has come back from a break and a breathing operation with two decent efforts at Newbury and Chepstow. Put 16 rivals in their place last time out off a mark of 137 in a handicap, but this is a much tougher test.
Good effort to win a decent Newton Abbot handicap hurdle in October but has disappointed in two Grade 2 staying hurdles since.
Thought of more as an improving staying chaser these days but took a heavy fall over the National fences last time out in the Becher Chase. This race is either being used as a confidence booster or to protect his chase handicap mark.
Returns from two starts over fences here and was a very easy winner last time out at Hereford. Capable over hurdles but not in the same class as his stablemate and favourite here.
Forecasts
Unowhatimeanharry (10/11), Ballyoptic (4/1), West Approach (14/1), Kotkikova (14/1), Henri Parry Morgan (16/1), Cole Harden (20/1), Un Temps Pour Tout (20/1), Shantou Bob (22/1), Ptit Zig (25/1), Old Guard (33/1), Whataknight (33/1), The Romford Pele (50/1), Reve De Sivola (66/1), The Young Master (80/1), Knockara Beau (100/1)
Current favourite for this race UNOWWHATIMEANHARRY has gone from strength to strength over the past 18 months. He comes here seeking an eighth win in a row after starting his winning run in a handicap at this course in 2015. Highlights since then include his wins in the Albert Bartlett and his two latest Grade 1 victories at Newbury and Ascot. His main rival will be Ballyoptic who deserves to win a race of this nature and was upsides Unowwhatimeanharry at Ascot last time when falling at the final flight. If he stays on his feet this time he’s capable of giving the favourite a stern test. In the same colours as the favourite, Kotkikova looks to be of interest based on her French form and she may well have come on for her Leopardstown run last time out. He wasn’t that far behind when hampered and unseating his rider last time out. The real dark one though may well be Shantou Bob who wears headgear for the first-time, has shown a progressive profile of late, and comes from a stable with a pedigree in his sort of event.
1. Unowhatimeanharry
2. Ballyoptic
3. Shantou Bob
Prize Money
1st: £34,170.002nd: £12,822.003rd: £6,420.004th: £3,198.005th: £1,608.006th: £804.00
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