McCoy Contractors Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 5m 6.56s

Botox Has^v1³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 152| C| D

13/2

Enhanced a good record fresh when adding a West Yorkshire Hurdle to his CV at Wetherby in November. Not disgraced when sixth of 10 to Crambo in Long Walk Hurdle at Ascotfollowing month so this course winner is shortlisted with visor added.

Form: 2174-16

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Champ³⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: N J Henderson| OR: 156| CD

7/1

Very talented hurdler/chaser who resumed after 8 months off/wind op with a good fourth of 10 to Crambo in Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot last month. Needs considering with that run under his belt.

Form: 43/135-4

Dashel Drasher³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 157| C| D

4/1

Tough and likeable sort who narrowly denied Paisley Park in Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in December (6 lb worse off here) and backed it up with a solid third of 10 to Crambo in Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot. Runner-up in this 12 months ago and he's well in the mix again.

Form: 226-313

Paisley Park^t³⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 157| CD

11/4

Veteran stayer but he showns no signs of slowing down and has gone down only narrrowly in Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (6 lb better off with Dashel Drasher) and Ascot's Long Walk Hurdle (beaten short head by Crambo) this term. Already a three-time winner of this and looks the one to beat again.

Form: 2137-22

Flight Deck^b⁵⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Chris Ward| T: Deborah Cole| OR: 144| D

20/1

Smart on his day for Jonjo O'Neill and he has taken his form up a notch for his current yard this term, posting an excellent 1¾ lengths third of 6 to Dashel Drasher in Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last month. Can't be ruled out.

Form: 21P7-33

Noble Yeats^t³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Cobden| T: E Mullins| BF

3/1

Top-class chaser who landed the 2022 Grand National. Tongue tied/off 7 months and not disgraced back at 2m4f on just his second run over hurdles when second of 4 in conditions event at Limerick 31 days ago. No forlorn hope with his stamina drawn out more here.

Form: 1344-72

Strong Leader^p1²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: O Murphy| OR: 147

11/1

Smart novice hurdler last season (won 3 times at 2m) and not discredited upped in trip when in the frame in Ascot Grade 2 and Relkeel Hurdle here this winter. More is needed though on his first go at 3m with cheekpieces added.

Form: 192-024

Forecasts

Paisley Park (11/4), Noble Yeats (3/1), Dashel Drasher (4/1), Botox Has (13/2), Champ (7/1), Strong Leader (11/1), Flight Deck (20/1)

PAISLEY PARK has yet to get his head in front this season but has gone with all his old verve in two narrow reverses so this remarkable stayer is fancied to bag a fourth Cleeve Hurdle victory. Dashel Drasher is another most likeable hurdler but he again might have to settle for runner-up spot. Flight Deck, Champ and Botox Has can't be discounted either in a cracking Grade 2.