January 27 / 15.35 Cheltenham

15.35

Good To Soft

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

  • Prize money: £39389
  • 2m 7f 213y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
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McCoy Contractors Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 344-72 D BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Beaten favourite returned to hurdles last time (second attempt) but has to be feared on chase form, such as his win in the Grand National in 2022 and fourth in last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

28th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 80y

14:00 Leopardstown

Noble Yeats

11st 10lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

midfield early, pressed leaders after 4th, lost position and dropped to rear when pushed along briefly after 6th, dropped to last and pushed along after 7th, reminders and struggling after 8th

13/2

6

28th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 80y

14:00 Leopardstown

Noble Yeats

11st 10lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

midfield early, pressed leaders after 4th, lost position and dropped to rear when pushed along briefly after 6th, dropped to last and pushed along after 7th, reminders and struggling after 8th

13/2

19th

1

13th Apr 2024

Heavy

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Noble Yeats

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emmet Mullins

2022 Grand National winner and fourth in it (again on good to soft) last year when he was hard work from out the back and never got near the leaders; hurdling on last three starts, winning a Grade 2 but coming up well short when the cheekpieces (which had served him well hitherto) were restored at Cheltenham one month ago; just 1lb lower than last year but his strength of stamina will presumably be well served by a slog in the mud.

20/1

Form: 92-024

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Has some stamina on the dam's side but doesn't look slow, having done his winning at about 2m; best effort this term came over 2m3f; jury's out on whether he'll stay this new trip; wears first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Strong Leader

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Tailed off at Cheltenham in January but that's not his track and he's had a wind op since; prior to that he ran well when runner-up to Impose Toi at Newbury and Ascot, and his Aintree form figures read 1212 with his last two visits being in this race (good to soft/good); there can be considerable optimism that he'll be a key player back here; tongue-tie added.

4/1

6th

3

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Strong Leader

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Runner-up to Impose Toi on last two starts (3m, soft/good to soft), latest when beaten just over 1l off level weights (same today) in the Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot; his record at Cheltenham is patchy but he ran well when third in this in 2024; on form he's the stand-out danger to Impose Toi.

9/2

1st

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 1

14:22 Wetherby

Strong Leader

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Reappeared with a win in the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) last November and finished second in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree (3m, good) in April, having won that same Grade 1 12 months earlier; leading claims despite conceding weight all round.

7/4

Form: 26-313 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 157

Form & Verdict
Held on narrowly from Paisley Park in Grade 2 at Newbury, then finished third in the Long Walk at Ascot later in December; runner-up in this contest last year; very consistent and looks sure to go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Dashel Drasher

12st 1lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Hasn't been running badly over fences this season but he's clearly not the force of old and he would prefer softer ground for this return to hurdling.

10/1

6th

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Dashel Drasher

12st 1lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Hasn't been running badly over fences this season but he's clearly not the force of old and he would prefer softer ground for this return to hurdling.

10/1

Form: /135-4 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 8lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 156

Form & Verdict
Runner-up to old rival Paisley Park when favourite for this race in 2022; very smart on his day, being a four-time Grade 1 winner, and could go well with Long Walk reappearance (finished fourth) under his belt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Champ

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Nicky Henderson

Veteran; smart in his prime but his two efforts this term fall well short of his peak form; beaten twice in this race (third in 2022, fifth in 2023) and is unlikely to make it third time lucky unless first-time headgear has a significant effect.

25/1

3

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Champ

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Nicky Henderson

in touch with leaders, struggling after 10th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 174-16 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Has gained two notable wins over 3m; however, came up short in this race 12 months ago and in the Long Walk last time out, finishing behind some of these rivals both times; new headgear; not the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

15:32 Newbury

Botox Has

11st 13lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

10yo who's not the force of old; down the weights and this race is a drop in class, but he needs to improve on this season's form nevertheless.

12/1

3rd

2

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 1

14:50 Fontwell

Botox Has

11st 4lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

2-2 here, including when gamely holding Brewin'upastorm in the 2022 edition of this race; also won Grade 2 Rendlesham at Haydock (about 3m, heavy) in February 2024 but hasn't matched that form subsequently and was tailed off in a Windsor handicap (3m, soft) last month.

10/1

12th

1

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Botox Has

12st 0lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Gained the last of his Grade 2 wins almost two years ago; generally below that form since, most recently returned to handicap level; doesn't look set to end the losing spell.

14/1

Form: 1P7-33 D

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Good third in handicap at this venue and Grade 2 at Newbury (behind Dashel Drasher and Paisley Park) for new stable this term; something to find on ratings but another big effort can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

Flight Deck

11st 1lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Deborah Cole

Has never tried this sort of trip with heavy ground but it could help; however, pulled up in this race in 2023 on his only visit to Sandown, went off the boil last January-May and although there's been a partial revival since, he needs better to take this warm race; 5lb claimer enlisted.

20/1

5

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

Flight Deck

11st 1lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Deborah Cole

Has never tried this sort of trip with heavy ground but it could help; however, pulled up in this race in 2023 on his only visit to Sandown, went off the boil last January-May and although there's been a partial revival since, he needs better to take this warm race; 5lb claimer enlisted.

20/1

4th

4

29th Nov 2024

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 1

15:05 Newbury

Flight Deck

11st 2lb

J: Chris Ward

T: Deborah Cole

Gradually finding his form this term; now 0-7 for current yard and appears to have the worst chance at the weights in this field but could perform well, having finished 2l third in this race last year.

25/1

Form: 137-22 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 8lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 157

Form & Verdict
Tremendous stayer who went very close at Ascot five weeks ago when bidding for a fourth success in the Long Walk; has form figures of 1113 in this race and warrants major respect despite his advancing years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.50
Straight Forecast £11.17
Trifecta £96.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Paisley Park

The Times:

Noble Yeats

RP RATINGS:

Dashel Drasher

TOPSPEED:

Strong Leader

LAMBOURN:

Champ

WEST COUNTRY:

Dashel Drasher

The Sun:

Dashel Drasher

POSTDATA:

Paisley Park

Telegraph:

Paisley Park

Daily Mail:

Paisley Park

Daily Mirror:

Paisley Park

The Guardian:

Noble Yeats

D Express:

Noble Yeats

The Star:

Noble Yeats

Daily Record:

Noble Yeats