Gold Tweet hits the jackpot for France in Cleeve Hurdle

Simon Milham
January 28, 2023 3:38 pm

Dashel Drasher and Paisley Park take minor honours.

There was a win for France at Cheltenham when Gold Tweet ran out a convincing victor in the Dahlbury Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle.

Searching for his fourth win in the key Stayers’ Hurdle trial, the eye was drawn to the smooth-travelling 13-8 favourite Paisley Park as the pace began to quicken coming down the hill for a second time.

But with Aidan Coleman soon pushing away without response aboard Emma Lavelle’s stable star, it was left to Gabriel Leenders’ French raider to cruise into contention and he overtook long-time leader Dashel Drasher shortly after the last before registering a cosy three-length success.

IT’S THE FRENCH RAIDER! 🇫🇷💪
Gold Tweet wins the Dahlbury Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle by two lengths 🥇
LOOK AT WHAT IT MEANS TO JOHNNY CHARRON! 😍#ITVRacing | @CheltenhamRaces | @GabrielLeenders pic.twitter.com/cP3BNHBF8D

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) January 28, 2023

Although sent off at 14-1 there was no fluke about the victory and Gold Tweet was introduced into the Stayers’ Hurdle market at 8-1 by race sponsors Paddy Power – although connections will need to decide whether to supplement the six-year-old for a return to Prestbury Park in the spring.