Cleeve Hurdle

The Betfair Cleeve Hurdle is a prestigious Grade 2 hurdle race run at Cheltenham Racecourse on Festival Trials Day. The race is run over three miles and there are twelve hurdles to be jumped. This race is worth approximately £40,000 to the winning connections. The race is open to horses aged five and older.

Cleeve Hurdle Overview

The Betfair Cleeve Hurdle is a prestigious Grade 2 hurdles race that sees many aspiring young horses turn up to compete for this £40,000 first prize. In the old days, this race would have been viewed as a stepping-stone towards the Stayers’ Hurdle just six weeks further down the line back over the same course and distance.

Notable winners of this race in the past include Paisley Park (three times), Unowhatimeanharry, Thistlecrack and Big Bucks. As already mentioned, this race sets the ultimate in gold standards for the Stayers’ Hurdle at the main Festival six weeks later.

All bar three of the last twenty winners went to that exact race on their next outing with five of those going on to win the main prize at the Festival in March (2008, 2009, 2012, 2016 & 2019).

Cleeve Hurdle Betting Trends and Statistics

There are two leading trainers in the Cleeve Hurdle in recent times with both Paul Nicholls and Emma Lavelle who have both won the race on three occasions. Paul Nicholls winners have been with Big Bucks (2009 & 2012) and Saphir Du Rheu (2015). Emma Lavelle winners have been with the brilliant Paisley Park (2019, 2020 & 2022).

Other trainers who have recorded multiple wins in the Cleeve Hurdle are Alan King (2) and Nick Williams (2).

Sam Twiston-Davies (jockey) has a decent record in the race. He has won the race twice and been placed in it on another two occasions. Harry Cobden has also won the race previously. Johnny Charron won the race on his only ever ride in it (Gold Tweet 2023).

A couple of jockeys to avoid in this race include Daryl Jacob (0 from the last 5 attempts), and Gavin Sheehan (0 from his last three attempts).

Cleeve Hurdle History

The Cleeve Hurdle was first run in 1983 across 2 miles, 5 furlongs, and 110 yards. The event was classified as listed level in the 1980s before being upgraded to Grade 1 status in 1991. Its name was originally given as the Bishops Cleeve Hurdle but was later shortened to its current guise.

The race was then downgraded to Grade 2 status in 2004 but was extended to the current length in 2005. It was noted by some that the modified Cleeve Hurdle was replacing the long-distance hurdle that was run at Haydock Racecourse on Peter Marsh day. The race is now considered the leading trial for the Stayers’ Hurdle that takes place at the Cheltenham Festival.

Cleeve Hurdle Winners