15:35 Cheltenham

Saturday 25 January 2025

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

Betfair Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 6m 11.03s

Botox Has^b³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 149| C| D

20/1

Took his form up a notch last term, winning Grade 2 contests at Wetherby and Haydock. However, he was only sixth in this race 12 months ago (also held in 2023 running) and, moreover, he has failed to fire on each of his last 4 starts, including when well behind Crambo at Ascot last time.

Form: 61P5-08

Crambo^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 156| D

3/1

Made up into a smart hurdler last term, notably landing the Long Walk in game fashion at Ascot. Disappointing in Grade 1s at the big spring festivals (latterly behind Strong Leader at Aintree) but back on track when again taking the Long Walk on his seasonal reappearance last month. Key player.

Form: 13198-1

Strong Leader³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 158| BF| DWS

5/2

Good third in this last year before scaling new heights in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree, taking that Grade 1 prize in good style. Landed the odds on return at Newbury and something was surely wrong in the Long Walk next time. Since undergone a wind op and will have every chance if on-song.

Form: 2431-10

Monmiral^b,t⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 145| CD

15/2

Addition of blinkers reignited his spark as he landed Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival (3m, soft) last spring. Needed comeback run and much-improved with blinkers back on (retained here) when chasing home Strong Leader in a Grade 2 at Newbury in November. Each-way chance.

Form: 4415-32

Gowel Road²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 146| C

5/2

Held form well last term, culminating in a very respectable effort behind Monmiral in the C&D Pertemps Final. Runner-up all 4 starts at this track since returning to action in October, most recently going down narrowly to a progressive 6-y-o in the Relkeel Hurdle. Bold show anticipated.

Form: 46-2222

Transmission^p⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 133| C

9/1

Bagged couple of handicap hurdles at Plumpton last term and has taken well to fences this season, scoring over 25f here in November before finding just one too good in a decent handicap back here last month. However, he looks up against it at this level back hurdling.

Form: 581-212

Non-Runners

Kerryhill⁶³

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: Ruth Jefferson J: Kielan Woods

Ga Law⁴²

Weight: 11-2| Age: 9

T: Jamie Snowden J: G Sheehan

Forecasts

Gowel Road (5/2), Strong Leader (5/2), Crambo (3/1), Monmiral (15/2), Transmission (9/1), Ga Law (12/1), Botox Has (20/1), Kerryhill (20/1)

GOWEL ROAD has failed to deliver when previously pitched into graded races but he looks better than ever at the age of nine judged on this season's exploits, most recently beaten under a length by an up-and-coming stayer in the Relkeel Hurdle. A tough and reliable type, he shades preference ahead of Crambo, who got back on track when landing the Long Walk again at Ascot. Strong Leader completely misfired in the latter race but will be a danger to all if able to bounce back following a wind op.