StanJames.com International Hurdle 2010

3.05 Cheltenham
StanJames.com International Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £85,515

Pick: Menorah (win)

Cristal Bonus: Fascinating contender, coming here having been successful 4 times in France but best effort came in defeat (second) in Grade 1 at Auteuil; That entitles him to huge respect but in at deep end giving weight to class acts on British bow.

Silviniaco Conti: Has yet to be beaten in four outings, dotting up on all occasions (has an aggregate victory distance of 61 lengths) and set for very top based on 7 length Ascot Hurdle romp, with established high class horses being beaten soundly in behind; Will be very hard to beat but 4lbs penalty puts him in tough spot and has to give weight to high class horses.

Clerk’s Choice: Has been a complete revelation in winning four out of five over hurdles but nothing even close to how impressive he was at Cheltenham’s showcase meeting, beating Grade 1 winner Barizan and promising Royal Mix by 21 lengths (Barizan 4 further back); Was put up to rating of 162 for that so very disappointing that he couldn’t cope with softer ground at Haydock last time and this likely to be too tough last time.

Cue Card: Won easily on debut and then ran away with Cheltenham Bumper last year, pulling clear of Grade 2 winner Al Ferof and useful field with ease; Form been boosted by Dare Me, Megastar, Made In Time, Hidden Universe and Dunraven Storm (reopposes); Made a perfect debut over hurdles when jumping with fluency over 2m4f at Aintree and unlimited potential based on 8 length romp here last time; Capable of anything but only ran four times and inexperience likely to be huge factor if there are chinks in his armour; this toughest test by far.

Menorah: Showed immense potential when posting a time faster than the then Champion Hurdle favourite Go Native managed over the same course and distance on the same card at Kempton, potential he then realised when winning the Supreme Novice’s by a head when holding off Get Me Out Of Here; Disappointed at times too, when being beaten by Lush Life just before festival ( went off too fast in soft ground) and when ground down by General Miller at Aintree (was 3 lengths clear before last); Made a very pleasing return when winning the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham, a performance made even better by racing wide throughout on ground that was arguably too soft; While he needs a strong pace to be seen at his best and hasn’t go perfect jumping, has to be major player.

Astracad: Has impressed deeply in winning three of last 4 handicap hurdles but handicapper may have overreacted to his decisive win of an open but relatively modest handicap, an impression confirmed when he was eighth in the Greatwood last time.

Der Spieler: Had good time of things last season (Placed three times, won once) and has run well this season coming second in Graded events the last twice; This whole new level though.

Liberty Seeker: Out of his depth.

Nicene Creed: Moved to Phillip Hobbs yard after showing promise in one and only bumper start and looked set for big things when romping to 10 length win on hurdle debut, but well behind Cue Card when fourth at Aintree and while he impressed with attitude when winning last time out, this is going to be too tough for him.


VERDICT: A top class renewal of a race which will have a major impact on the Champion Hurdle picture. This might be too big a jump for Cue Card on only his fifth start and while he looks set for the top, inexperience could get him. Silviniaco Conti should be fine at this new trip but giving away 4lbs might just play into the hands of MENORAH, who proved he had trained on with a gritty but classy success in the Greatwood. It could be argued that the 2 novices are at least his equal but Menorah’s no mug and with hopefully better jumping (he clattered 2 in the Greatwood) he can take an important step to the Champion Hurdle. French import Cristal Bonus is one to watch.