French trainer eager to test Paisley Park in Cleeve Hurdle with first British runner

French trainer Gabriel Leenders is eager to test the strength of Britain's staying hurdle form when his first runner in the country contests the Dahlbury Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle (3.00) on Saturday.

Leenders, based just outside Angers and formerly based with David Pipe and Nicky Henderson, will attempt to derail Paisley Park's bid for a fourth win in the race with six-time winner Gold Tweet. The six-year-old is a brother to the four-time winner Sacre Pierre, trained by Donald McCain, and his trainer believes he will be well suited to the British style of racing.

"He's not a champion but he’s a nice horse," Leenders said of the 25-1 shot. "We want to try because we think he has the right profile to run in England and we want to test the level of form.

"He will be my first runner at Cheltenham. This time I’m coming as a visitor and maybe in future I will bring a better horse. I've been before and it's a nice place, so I am happy to be coming back. It is a dream for me and my owners and if he ran well we would be very happy."

Gabriel Leenders (far side) pictured schooling a horse alongside Danny Cook at David Pipe's base in 2009Credit: Edward Whitaker

Gold Tweet, who will be partnered by French-based rider Johnny Charron, has won over fences and has the option of the 2m4½f handicap chase (1.50) on the same card, but Leenders is eyeing the Cleeve Hurdle and believes his horse has excuses for a below-par season last year.

"I think we will run in the Cleeve Hurdle," he said. "He was third in a Grade 1 over fences as a four-year-old and last year he had a bad year because he was tired. We’ve taken our time with him and now he’s better and he’s progressed – I think he’s back at his best level now."

Gold Tweet was last seen finishing second in a conditions hurdle at Pau on New Year's Eve and his trainer is confident he will do himself justice.

He added: "He galloped on the grass on Friday with a lead horse and he's in very good form. I think the race will be perfect for him. I don't know how he will match up but I've been sent the list of British runners and will take my time to read the form."

Dahlbury Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle

bet365 10-11 Paisley Park, 7-2 Gelino Bello, 4 Dashel Drasher, 7 Molly Ollys Wishes, 14 Botox Has, Thomas Darby, 16 Call Me Lord, 25 Gold Tweet, Indefatigable

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Maddy PlayleDigital journalist

Published on 24 January 2023inBritain

Last updated 18:51, 24 January 2023

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