Paddy Power Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 7f 213y | 6 Runners | Turf

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 165| CD

Still the leading staying hurdler, a point underlined by his strong-finishing victory in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December. Should take all the beating.

Form: 1/117-21

Main Fact⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Fergus Gillard| T: D Pipe| OR: 154| D

Made it 9 on the spin when scoring on return to hurdles off a mark of 147 at Haydock at first go at 3m. Came up short in Long Walk at Ascot since, though the experience will have done him good.

Form: 1111-17

Ramses De Teillee^t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 149| CD

Enhanced good strike rate and better than ever in process when scoring over fences here in November but disappointing subsequently and faces stiff task back in this sphere.

Form: 10-5170

Decor Irlandais¹⁶¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: N C Kelly| OR: 146| D

Three wins from 7 runs last season and has continued his progression this term, scoring comfortably in a handicap at Killarney 70 days ago. Another step forward would put him right in the mix.

Form: 4129-41

Itchy Feet⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: O Murphy| OR: 155

Smart over hurdles and even better over fences last term, winning Grade 1 novice at Sandown. Creditable efforts this term and makes some appeal returning to the smaller obstacles.

Form: 11U-322

Unowhatimeanharry^p,t⁵⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: H Fry| OR: 151| CD

Confirmed he's still capable of smart form when landing handicap at Aintree on return from 8 months off in November. Effort best excused next time, so not ruled out back in graded company.

Form: 4250-10

Forecasts

Paisley Park (1/2), Itchy Feet (9/2), Main Fact (7/1), Unowhatimeanharry (14/1), Ramses De Teillee (20/1), Decor Irlandais (25/1)

PAISLEY PARK underlined that he's still the best in this division when rattling home to land the Long Walk at Ascot and, in the absence of Thyme Hill, he faces a much simpler task, so he's an obvious choice. Itchy Feet has the class to pose a threat if he can replicate the form he's shown over fences and Decor Irlandais still seems to be improving, so he's another interesting contender.