15:05 Cheltenham

Saturday 15 December 2018

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Unibet International Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:07 | Winning time: 4m 5.90s

Old Guard^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 154| CD

11/1

Smart performer who has been as good as ever this season without getting his head in front. A similar fate looks on the cards given he has to concede weight to most of his rivals.

Form: 74-2232

The New One^v1⁵⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 155| CD

14/1

Grand campaigner over the years and has won this valuable race no less three times. Not at his best last season and age may be catching up with him, but goes well fresh and is visored for the first time.

Form: 2210P-7

Silver Streak²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Geraghty| T: Evan Williams| OR: 150

9/2

Progressive performer in handicaps and ran a fine race to be second in a valuable contest at this track last time. More to do at this level, but has earned the right to have a go and is not to be underestimated.

Form: 2U6-112

Summerville Boy¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: N D Fehily| T: T R George| OR: 156| C| D

9/2

Smart and progressive last season when he landed the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Well behind Champion Hurdler Buveur D'Air on his return to action at Newcastle, but is capable of much better.

Form: 22311-4

We Have A Dream²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 152| D

13/2

One of last season's leading juveniles, but two runs this season have been slightly disappointing. Top stable is in fine form so no surprise to see him produce a better display.

Form: 1111-34

Vision Des Flos^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 150| D

9/2

Finished just in front of Summerville Boy when third to Buveur D'Air at Newcastle. Generally running well this year and likely to do so again, but this is another tough task.

Form: 622-U23

Brain Power^p²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 158

7/1

Very smart hurdler at his best, but had a mixed campaign over fences last season and flopped on his return to action at this track. Switches back to hurdles with cheekpieces refitted, but form suggests he is better going right-handed.

Form: 1UF2F-4

Western Ryder^p1²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 145| CD

4/1

Plenty of good form to his name, but was behind Summerville Boy at the Cheltenham Festival and Silver Streak and Old Guard at this track last time. Has a bit to find in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 14265-5

Forecasts

Western Ryder (4/1), Silver Streak (9/2), Vision Des Flos (9/2), Summerville Boy (9/2), We Have A Dream (13/2), Brain Power (7/1), Old Guard (11/1), The New One (14/1)

An interesting contest, but one which has no stand-out contender. Brain Power has the ability to win, but is an in-and-out performer who may be better going the other way round, while stable companion We Have A Dream has not been at his best this season and needs to find more for last year's winning trainer. The roof will come off the stands if The New One wins again, but he is approaching the veteran stage and better value may lie with SILVER STREAK, who has a bit to find on ratings but is on an upward curve. Summerville Boy would be a huge threat if returning to his Cheltenham Festival form and the consistent Old Guard should be thereabouts again.