Run over just short of three miles this class one hurdle has been used in the past as a trial for the Stayers Hurdle at the Festival in seven weeks. Favourites have a decent record in the race winning five of the last nine renewals. Lady Rebecca has won this race three times in the past and Paisley Park is attempting to break her record by winning this for the fourth time on the bounce.
Botox Has
Penalised 6lb today for his National Spirit Hurdle win at Plumpton a year ago. Trained by Gary Moore and ridden by his son Jamie today. Looked well handicapped when winning a a valuable handicap hurdle at Haydock last November but was found out in open company over 2m 4 1/2F here since. Will need to step up from that run but the longer trip today will suit.
Paisley Park
Has won this race for the last three renewals and although eleven years old is showing no signs of decline having been touched of by Champ at Newbury in the Long Distance Hurdle prior to turning the tables on that one when taking the Long Walk Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day. Emma Lavelle’s veteran is four from eleven at the track and is officially 5lb and upwards superior to this field. He’s the one they all have to beat.
Gelino Bello
A smart novice hurdler last season for Paul Nicholls winning three times culminating in grade one success at Aintree in April. Been novice chasing this season winning two small field novice chases but took a crashing fall in the Kauto Star Novices Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and reverts to hurdles here. Shoulders a 3lb penalty for his Aintree victory and will be ridden by Nicholls’ number one jockey Harry Cobden.
Dashel Drasher
Mixes hurdling with chasing to great effect. A game winner at Aintree over hurdles in November preceded a good second spot to Noble Yeats over fences on his first ever try at three miles. Wasn’t disgraced when chasing home the smart mare Marie’s Rock here on New Years Day back over hurdles and should appreciate stepping back up in trip under Rex Dingle.
Gold Tweet
A rare French runner away from the Festival in March. Trained by Gabriel Leenders and ridden by Johnny Charron he’s shown winning form in his native country over both fences and hurdles up to 2M 6F and attempts three miles for the first time today. Hard to assess but unlikely to be good enough.
Lord Accord
Better known as a chaser, Neil Mulholland’s eight year old is badly treated at todays weights and it would be a shock were he to take a hand in the finish. Richie McLernon takes the ride.
Molly Ollys Wishes
A consistent mare trained by Dan Skelton. Last seen flopping at Kempton over three miles in November and a 6lb penalty for winning a grade 2 at Ascot a year ago hardly helps her. Trainer’s son Harry takes the ride and has a bit to find to trouble the principals here.
Dahlbury Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle betting tips
This is all about Emma Lavelle’s Paisley Park who is looking for a record breaking fourth victory in the race. She comes into this in very good form and with her liking for this track will be hard to beat. Jeremy Scott’s Dashel Drasher looks his main danger.
Selection: Paisley Park 11/8 BetVictor
All odds accurate at time of writing.
