Betfair Cleeve Hurdle |
 |
|
| Grade 2, Cheltenham 15:35 £70,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 7f 213y, Class 1  |
||
|
||
1 Gowel Road 5/2JF
2 Monmiral 15/2
3
Botox Has 20/1
6 ran NR: Ga Law, Kerryhill Distances: 2¼l, 2¼l, 3¼l
Time: 6m 11.03s (slow by 25.03s)
A huge victory for Gowel Road in the Betfair Cleeve Hurdle 👏#ITVRacing | @CheltenhamRaces | @samtwiston | @NigelTwistonDav pic.twitter.com/7kVJVInZaS
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) January 25, 2025
Gowel Road delivered a standout performance, securing a decisive victory in the Grade 2 contest. Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and ridden by his son, Sam Twiston-Davies, the eight-year-old gelding showcased his affinity for the Cheltenham track, building upon his recent strong form.
Settling into a comfortable rhythm early on, Gowel Road remained prominent throughout the three-mile contest. As the field approached the final turn, he demonstrated a remarkable turn of foot, pulling clear of his rivals to win convincingly.
This victory marks a significant achievement for Gowel Road, who had previously been noted for his strong performance when narrowly defeated by Lucky Place in the Relkeel Hurdle on New Year's Day. The step up in trip to three miles appeared to suit him well, and he handled the good to soft ground conditions with aplomb.
Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies expressed his delight, stating, "We're thrilled with Gowel Road's performance today. He loves it here at Cheltenham, and the step up in trip has really played to his strengths. It's a fantastic result for the whole team."
Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies added, "He traveled beautifully throughout the race and found plenty when I asked him. It's always special to ride a winner here, especially on a horse trained by my father."
This impressive performance has propelled Gowel Road into the conversation for the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. His proven track record at Prestbury Park and his evident stamina over the three-mile trip make him a compelling contender for the prestigious Grade 1 event.
The Betfair Cleeve Hurdle often serves as a key trial for the Stayers' Hurdle, and Gowel Road's authoritative victory today has certainly enhanced his credentials. Connections will now deliberate on the best path forward, with the Festival firmly in their sights.
As the National Hunt season progresses, Gowel Road's development will be keenly observed by racing enthusiasts, with anticipation building for his potential participation in the marquee staying hurdle event of the year.
Betfair Cleeve Hurdle
£70,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 7f 213y, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
1 Gowel Road 9 11-2 Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies 5/2F
2 2¼ Monmiral 8 11-6 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 15/2
3 2¼ Botox Has 9 11-8 Gary & Josh Moore Caoilin Quinn 20/1
4 3¼ Strong Leader 8 11-8 Olly Murphy Sean Bowen 5/2J
5 10 Crambo 8 11-8 Fergal O'Brien Jonathan Burke 3/1
6 ¾ Transmission 8 11-2 Neil Mulholland Conor O'Farrell 9/1
NR 5 Kerryhill 7 11-5 Ruth Jefferson NON RUNNER
NR 6 Ga Law 9 11-2 Jamie Snowden NON RUNNER
Year Horse Owner Trainer Weight Jockey SP
1990 Beech Road Tony Geake Toby Balding 8-12-00 Richard Guest 1/3 f
1991 Crystal Spirit Paul Mellon Ian Balding 4-10-09 Jimmy Frost 4/1
1992 Abandoned
1993 Muse White Horse Racing Ltd David Elsworth 6-11-08 Paul Holley 11/4
1994 Flakey Dove John Price Richard Price 8-11-03 Richard Dunwoody 4/1 cf
1995 Mudahim K W Bell Chris Broad 9-11-08 Norman Williamson 13/2
1996 Abandoned
1997 Large Action Brian Stewart-Brown Oliver Sherwood 9-11-08 Jamie Osborne 8/15 f
1998 Mistinguett John Duggan Nigel Twiston-Davies 6-11-03 Carl Llewellyn 100/30
1999 Lady Rebecca Kinnersley Optimists Venetia Williams 7-11-03 Norman Williamson 6/4 f
2000 Lady Rebecca Kinnersley Optimists Venetia Williams 8-11-03 Norman Williamson Evens f
2001 Lady Rebecca Kinnersley Optimists Venetia Williams 9-11-03 Norman Williamson 7/1
2002 Kates Charm Norma Kelly Robert Alner 9-11-03 Mick Fitzgerald 3/1
2003 Classified David Johnson Martin Pipe 7-11-08 Tony McCoy 8/11 f
2004 Crystal D’Ainay Tony & Jeni Fisher Alan King 5-11-04 Jimmy McCarthy Evens f
2005 Patriarch Express A W Muir Sue Smith 8-11-00 Jim Culloty 8/1
2006 Fire Dragon Gay Smith Jonjo O’Neill 5-11-00 Tony McCoy 16/1
2007 Blazing Bailey Three Line Whip Alan King 5-11-00 Robert Thornton 14/1
2008 Inglis Drever Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson 9-11-08 Richard Johnson 11/8 f
2009 Big Buck’s The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls 6-11-00 Ruby Walsh 7/2
2010 Tidal Bay Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson 6-11-00 Brian Hughes 14/1
2011 Grands Crus Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds III David Pipe 6-11-04 Tom Scudamore 2/1 f
2012 Big Buck’s The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls 9-11-08 Ruby Walsh 1/4 f
2013 Reve De Sivola Paul Duffy Diamond Partnership Nick Williams 8-11-08 Richard Johnson 15/8 f
2014 Knockara Beau Alistair Charlton George Charlton 11-11-00 Jan Faltejsek 66/1
2015 Saphir Du Rheu The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls 6-11-04 Sam Twiston-Davies 3/1
2016
Thistlecrack John & Heather Snook Colin Tizzard 8-11-08 Tom Scudamore 4/5f
2017 Unowhatimeanharry J P McManus Harry Fry 9-11-08 Barry Geraghty 10/11 f
2018 Agrapart The Gascoigne Brookes P’ship Nick Williams 7-11-06 Lizzie Kelly 9/1
2019 Paisley Park Andrew Gemmell Emma Lavelle 7-11-06 Aidan Coleman 100/30f
2020 Paisley Park Andrew Gemmell Emma Lavelle 8-11-06 Aidan Coleman 4/6f
2021 ABANDONED
2022 Paisley Park Andrew Gemmell Emma Lavelle 10 11-6 Aidan Coleman 5/1
2023 Gold Tweet Agv Karwin Stud, Gabriel Leenders Et Al Gabriel Leenders 6 11-2 Johnny Charron 14/1
2024 Noble Yeats Robert Waley-Cohen Emmet Mullins 9 11-2 Harry Cobden 3/1
