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14:35 Cheltenham

Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class A )

  • 11 Runners
  • Distance: 3m
  • Going: Good to Soft
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 6m 11.40s
  • 11 Ran
1
Silk - Yellow, Dark Blue star, armlets and star on cap
  • Form 134-222
  • Age 6
  • Weight 11-8
  • Official Rating 160

chased leaders, pushed along after out, stayed on same pace under pressure from next

2
Silk - Black, White seams, checked sleeves, quartered cap
  • Form 1121-15
  • Age 7
  • Weight 11-8
  • Official Rating 144

held up in rear, headway 7th, chased winner and every chance 2 out, weakened before last

3
Silk - BEIGE, BROWN hooped sleeves, ORANGE cap
16/1
  • Form 14/3P-14
  • Age 11
  • Weight 11-8
  • Official Rating 144

mid-division, driven after 9th, effort 3 out, weakened quickly

4
Silk - Emerald Green and White (quartered), Orange and White halved sleeves, Orange cap, White star
33/1
  • Form 521-514
  • Age 5
  • Weight 11-4
  • Official Rating 144

tracked leader, renewed effort to chase winner 3 out, weakened after next

5
Silk - Black and Beige (halved), chevrons on sleeves, Beige cap
10/3
  • Form 112112-
  • Age 6
  • Weight 11-4
  • Official Rating 152

blundered 1st, held up in mid-division, driven and no impression from 3 out

6
Silk - Light Blue, Maroon chevron, halved sleeves, Light Blue and Maroon quartered cap

Westender (FR)

28 b CBF
5/1
  • Form 52R231
  • Age 9
  • Weight 11-4
  • Official Rating 160

held up in mid-division, pushed along 8th, under pressure and effort 3 out, stayed on before last to take 3rd run-in

7
Silk - ROYAL BLUE, EMERALD GREEN sleeves, WHITE cap, EMERALD GREEN spots

Korelo (FR)

28 CDBF
8/1
  • Form 0031-61
  • Age 7
  • Weight 11-0
  • Official Rating 150

held up in rear, steady headway on wide outside 3 out, upsides winner and went left last, strong challenge run-in, just held

8
Silk - Dark Blue, Pink seams, striped cap
  • Form 4500-20
  • Age 6
  • Weight 11-0

held up in rear, driven along and struggling 9th, soon pulled up after

9
Silk - BLACK and PINK diamonds, PINK sleeves and cap

Marble Arch

31 BF
50/1
  • Form 3450/P-5
  • Age 9
  • Weight 11-0
  • Official Rating 154

held up towards rear, rapid headway to chase leaders and hit 3 out, weakened quickly

10
Silk - ROYAL BLUE, ORANGE sash, sleeves and cap
8/1
  • Form 35-121F
  • Age 8
  • Weight 11-0
  • Official Rating 155

tracked leaders, led soon after 9th, driven before last, strongly pressed run-in, held on gamely, all out

11
Silk - Pink, white stars, pink sleeves, purple armlets, pink cap, white star

Quick

28 v CDBF
50/1
  • Form 030-210
  • Age 5
  • Weight 11-0
  • Official Rating 141

led and soon clear, hit 9th and soon headed, weakened rapidly, tailed off

Previous results

In depth

Verdict

Another cracking good line-up for this three-mile hurdle, with the choice being Crystal d'Ainay ahead of Westender and Royale Rosa. After two narrow defeats by Baracouda this season, last season's Stayers' Hurdle third, Crystal d'Ainay, deserves to win a race of this nature and, while you don't always get what you want or feel you deserve in this life, the Alan King-trained six-year-old looks to hold solid claims in this contest. Turning to the others and Patriarch Express has proven progressive this season and is very likeable, although this represents a step up in class for him, while Marble Arch reverts to hurdling following a spell over fences but it is hard to see Hughie Morrison's charge getting back to the level of form that saw him finish second in the 2002 Champion Hurdle. It is interesting that Timmy Murphy is on board the totesport Hurdle winner, Korelo, ahead of Westender, although Tony McCoy is a very able deputy! The latter, who was fourth in a very good Bula Hurdle earlier in the season, looks ready for a further step up in trip following his win here on January 1. Royale Rosa comes here with a big reputation and found all bar Iris's Gift too good for her in the Grade 2 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree last April. She is afforded all due respect, even though this is her seasonal return. If he is at his best, Telemoss, who won Wetherby's John Smith's Hurdle in November and who was an 11-length fourth behind Baracouda at Newbury last time, could go well, while his stablemate Monet's Garden is highly regarded, although he disappointed here last time after winning at Grade 2 level. For us, though, the one to beat is Crystal d'Ainay.