15:00 Cheltenham

Saturday 12 December 2020

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Unibet International Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 4m 8.67s

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Selected odds by:

Ballyandy²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 157| C

14/1

Very smart hurdler who chased home Call Me Lord in this 12 months ago. Added to good record here when second in Greatwood last time but suspicion he'll be vulnerable for win purposes again.

Form: 2318-22

Call Me Lord²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 152| CD

28/1

Won this last season and arrives on the back of a couple of creditable runs last month. Likely to give his running again but this looks a deeper race than last year and Jacob sides with Sceau Royal.

Form: 2120-42

Sceau Royal¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: D A Jacob| T: A King| OR: 158| CD

10/1

Back over hurdles with a bang this term after a wind op, winning the Welsh Champion at Ffos Las and Elite at Wincanton. Couldn't live with Epatante in Fighting Fifth but it was another good run.

Form: 325-112

Song For Someone²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Aidan Coleman| T: T Symonds| OR: 156| D

6/1

Developed into a smart hurdler last term and improved again with 5-length defeat of Call Me Lord in 19f Ascot Grade 2 on reappearance. Another bold showing likely.

Form: 6/1321-1

Summerville Boy¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: T Scudamore| T: T R George| OR: 156| C| D

14/1

2018 Supreme Hurdle hero who notched another win here in Relkeel last winter. Successful reappearance in Aintree conditions event and fair fourth in 3m Newbury Grade 2 since. Back down in trip.

Form: F125-14

Silver Streak¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 158

10/1

Really smart and consistent hurdler in recent years who looked as good as ever when bagging Kempton listed on reappearance. Carried out early on in Fighting Fifth since. Second in this in 2018.

Form: 1326-1C

Ch'tibello³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 154| BF| CD

11/1

Won the County over C&D at 2019 Festival and consistent in defeat since, including ½-length second to Summerville Boy on Aintree reappearance. Third in this 12 months ago. Ought to play a part again.

Form: 13/353-2

Goshen⁶²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 156| BF

6/4

Would have easily made it 4-4 over hurdles but for unseating at last in Triumph over C&D in March. Beaten twice at short odds on Flat this autumn but could still be a hurdler out of the top drawer.

Form: 111U-

Stormy Ireland³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 148| BF| D

14/1

Smart dual Grade 3 hurdle winner in Ireland for Willie Mullins last season. Not at the same level when runner-up on both chase starts for new yard but each-way shout on her peak hurdle efforts.

Form: 1115-22

Verdana Blue⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 151| BF| D

17/2

Smart hurdler who took the 2018 Christmas Hurdle. Placed at Royal Ascot and in the Ebor at York on the Flat this summer but hasn't been at best when runner-up both starts back hurdling this autumn.

Form: 151/4-22

Forecasts

Goshen (6/4), Song For Someone (6/1), Verdana Blue (17/2), Silver Streak (10/1), Sceau Royal (10/1), Ch'tibello (11/1), Ballyandy (14/1), Summerville Boy (14/1), Stormy Ireland (14/1), Call Me Lord (28/1)

GOSHEN's 2 Flat runs this autumn have been a shade underwhelming but he was running away with the Triumph at the Festival when unseating at the final flight and looks more than capable of making his mark in open company this season. Song For Someone, Silver Streak and Sceau Royal are others who look sure to have a say in a very competitive Grade 2.