Cleeve Hurdle 2012

3.35 Cheltenham

Rewards4Racing Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1)  (5YO plus)

Winner £34,170

Advice: 2 pts win Reve De Sivola (5/2 Blue Square, 2/1 general)

Oscar Whisky; The class act of this field, winning Aintree Hurdle for the past two years and being unbeaten outside of the Cheltenham Festival over hurdles when staying upright; Those defeats came in Champion and World Hurdle, crucially in today’s context looking like stamina was a big issue for him in the latter contest; Today’s ground not an issue, but likely that stamina will be called into play today and vulnerable on that score.

Reve De Sivola: Once very useful novice hurdler (second in Cheltenham Festival 2m5f Novice) but has lost his best form over fences a bit before come back to hurdles, staying on well to take second behind Big Buck’s at Newbury and then destroying field with stamina in Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot (3m1f, heavy); Conditions set for him to attempt same today and will take good horse to stop him doing so in what should be a strongly run race.

Lovcen: Not taken to fences, or replicated the form that saw him win a Grade 1 last season in novice company (3m, Aintree, good); Chance if refinding his best form but doubt he’s upto unless market speaks otherwise.

Carruthers: Top class on his day over fences (won several chases as novice, and then Hennessey) but all our nothing style is literally that and best days look to be behind him.

Crack Away Jack: Fourth in 2009 Champion Hurdle but not quite as good, even if he’s still very useful backed on mini revival that he’s had since moving to Tom George’s yard, with seconds in last 3 races over hurdles; one of those a 19 length thrashing at hands of Oscar Whisky and others make more appeal.

Cross Kennon:  One of most suited in the field to an out and out slog over the trip but not shown any form for long time barring two good runs in Haydock Grade 2 and handicap here;  Both those run had come on heavy but might be outclassed anyway.

Kauto Stone: One of most talented horses in this field on his day, with 2 Graded wins over fences to his name at Down Royal; Complete King George flop over Christmas worrying but if cheekpieces and hurdling bring him back to best, then possible chance here getting 8lbs from principals; Interesting to watch in running for exchange players.

Knockara Beau: Front runner with plenty of class on his day – has been runner up in this race 2 years ago, and sixth in Gold Cup – but lacklustre Kelso run doesn’t suggest that he’s in the best of form.

Walkon: Formerly top class juvenile hurdler who has shown flashed of that talent since comeback from injury, showing best effort over fences when three length runner up to Al Ferof in Paddy Power Gold Cup; Ground not a problem but one doubts his stamina for this test.

Kentford Grey Lady:  Second to Quevega at the Festival and looked set for more success this season when romping away with 2m4f handicap hurdle at Sandown, but disappointing there next time when only third earlier this month; Not sure she’s got the class for this.

Verdict: Oscar Whisky is the best of these by some way but on his only try at 3m, floundered badly in the World Hurdle having travelled into contention nicely for most of the race. With the ground as trying as it is today and several front runners in the race, he can’t be backed and REVE DE SIVOLA, who was so dominant in the Long Walk from the front, has an ideal chance to try the same tactics again with many of his rivals coming into this with stamina doubts or poor runs behind them.