15:35 Cheltenham

Saturday 27 January 2018

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 29.20s

Agrapart²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Lizzie Kelly| T: Nick Williams| OR: 154| C

9/1

Won a Grade 2 here on New Year's Day last year but lost his way a little subsequently. Much better last time out when second of eight here and not without each-way claims if he proves as good over this longer trip.

Form: 139-772

Beer Goggles⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: K Woollacott| OR: 159| D

11/2

Produced a 40/1 shock in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, benefiting from an excellent front-running ride from today's jockey. Certainly no fluke about that effort and given time to recover so should be thereabouts again.

Form: 11-2131

Wholestone²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 155| CD

9/2

C&D winner. Not at his best when a long way behind Beer Goggles at Newbury in December but proved he was better than that when getting the better of Agrapart here last time out. Form figures here read 121131 and he could be hard to beat again.

Form: 13-4261

Thomas Campbell³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 148| CD

7/1

Highly progressive this campaign, winning over C&D in October before landing a Listed contest here. Too keen when disappointing at Ascot latest but he's better than that and less exposed than some. Each-way claims.

Form: 547-115

Finian's Oscar^t1³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: B J Cooper| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 151| BF| C| D

11/4

Aintree Grade 1 winner over hurdles last season and reverts to timber having not looked a natural chaser (jumped slowly and made errors). Respected back in this sphere and gets the addition of a first-time tongue-tie.

Form: 12-1132

The Worlds End³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 149

5/1

Won the Sefton Novices Hurdle at Aintree last year but disappointing in two starts this campaign. This possibly a little easier than his latest assignment but has a bit to prove at present.

Form: 11F1-84

Ex Patriot²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: Miss Ellmarie Holden| OR: 144

20/1

Good fourth in last year's Triumph Hurdle. Doesn't win often but got head back in front at Limerick last month and not seen to best effect when second at Punchestown last time out. Often travel's well but hasn't always shaped like this is his trip.

Form: 43-3312

Saint Are^t²⁹⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr N George| T: T R George| OR: 142| D

100/1

Excellent third in last year's Grand National but not raced over hurdles since 2011 and chasing is his game these days. Plenty on his plate here.

Form: 0/53F23-

Colin's Sister²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 142| BF| D

10/1

Progressive mare who got the better of Wholestone when winning at Wetherby but that rival reversed the form here last time. Probably better on faster ground but not fully exposed and can't be dismissed.

Form: 115-143

Non-Runners

Court Minstrel⁴²

Weight: 11-4| Age: 11

T: Evan Williams J: T Scudamore

Forecasts

Finian's Oscar (11/4), Wholestone (9/2), The Worlds End (5/1), Beer Goggles (11/2), Thomas Campbell (7/1), Agrapart (9/1), Colin's Sister (10/1), Ex Patriot (20/1), Court Minstrel (33/1), Saint Are (100/1)

WHOLESTONE loves it around here, as his form figures suggest and there's every chance he can make it five wins from seven course appearances. Beer Goggles certainly has claims on the bare form of his win against Unowhatimeanharry last time and he's been given time to recover from that career best effort while Colin's Sister is better than her latest start and can't be dismissed if the ground doesn't come up too soft.