Cheltenham Trials Day - Cleeve Hurdle

3.35 Cheltenham
Rewards4Racing Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1) (5YO plus)
Winner £22,804

Pick: Grands Crus (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; Made a good enough debut when 5th behind Menorah (other useful prospects behind); Unproven beyond middle distances and this is another a tough task.

Kayf Aramis: Has been put into Graded company since winning the Pertemps Final in 2009, and has performed admirably, never disgracing himself in process; Won in grand style under penalty last time out but has it a lot tougher here, so hard to recommend under a big penalty.

Grands Crus: Has improved hand over first for the step up in trip this season, bolting up in two good handicaps here and at Haydock; Jump from handicapping to Graded class not impossible in this division and ratings give him every chance of making a big mark here.

Restless Harry: Became one of most likeable horses in training last season, dotting up in smart Cheltenham Novice Hurdle before running titanic race in Albert Bartlett (dotted up last time seen last year); Ran a very pleasing race considering that he was left 10 lengths behind at the start (beaten only 11 & ½ lengths in the end) in Silver Trophy; Was a well beaten third behind Bug Bucks last time but is fond of 3 miles here so not discounted.


Sprit River: Developed into a very talented hurdler last season, and showed his class when romping home in Coral Cup at Cheltenham Festival; Fallen twice chasing since but was turning into a very good hurdler before that and worth another chance here, as he’s highly rated.

Arcalis: Hasn’t won since 2007 and is unproven at more than 2m4f; Has run well in handicaps the last thrice and behind Big Bucks too, but passed over.

Ballyfoy: Looks out of his depth.

Benband Head: Bolted up when last seen here in October 2009, and was well held in the Silver Trophy on his return; Looked a beaten favourite when falling at the last on his previous run and others preferred.

Bensalem: Horse that pushed Diamond Harry close over hurdles 2 seasons ago and continued in largely the same vein over fences; Won on his chase debut and was beaten by a good horse in Take The Breeze next time (again over fences); Fell when traveling really well in the William Hill Chase but storming effort to be second to Quevga at the Punchestown Festival; Stable can get them back from long absences, well in on that form and arguably the one to bet on the book.

Gwanako: Ran only four times last season, but showed promise on all of those runs, making good headway coming to the business end of the Byrne Group Plate; was still in contention for minor honours when falling two out behind Edgbriar over C&D earlier this season and made good comeback over hurdles last time out; This seems too tough.

Hills Of Aran: Looked useful over fences (won both starts over fences in 2009/10, and looks to have retained most of his ability judged on last 2 hurdles runs (well beaten twice over fences since) and has a lot to do to be winning here based on his form with Grands Crus.

Kayf Aramis: Has been put into Graded company since winning the Pertemps Final in 2009, and has performed admirably, never disgracing himself in process; Ran solid race when second behind Fair Along and sure to give it his best shot.

Knockara Beau: Tough and consistent hurdler who posted a huge new best when fifth in the Ballymore hurdle at the Cheltenham festival; based on his form (just behind Burton Port in 2 big races last season) would be a realistic contender, but needs far more than he’s shown this season for that to be the case.

Mobaasher: Wasn’t as good over fences as he was over hurdles last season and has already bagged a win back over hurdles; This is a steep rise back in class though, and hard to see him winning.

Organisetur: Has a solid record of 4 hurdles wins out of 7 starts (never been worse than 4th), although all 4 of those have been at Taunton; Posted a very good effort when second to Dynaste at Taunton and also in the Lanzarote last time, so probably one of the better chances today.

Sweet Seville: Looks totally out of his depth here.

VERDICT: A chance is taken on GRANDS CRUS to lay down his World Hurdle marker here and prove that he can handle better ground. There are numerous challengers, the best of which is Bensalem, although Sprit River and especially Restless Harry are ones to take note of.