Reve De Sivola

With Big Buck’s ruled out for the season last week, Reve De Sivola was the first to throw his hat into the ring for staying hurdle honours with a comprehensive victory in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot last Saturday.

Nick Williams’ gelding seemed to really enjoy himself right up with the pace, either out in front or tracking Kayf Aramis, and he cleared away from the home turn, apparently finishing full of running. His runs over fences were characterised by sloppy jumping which often ended his chance – which is why he only won once from 10 attempts over fences – but his jumping was superb here back over hurdles, and he looked more enthusiastic than ever.

Reve De Sivola is a classy horse who just didn’t fulfill his potential over fences and, as such, probably isn’t generally as highly-regarded as he should be. He seemed to relish the testing ground at Ascot, but he has good form on good ground as well, and he has good form at Cheltenham, he was beaten just half a length by Peddlers Cross in the 2010 Neptune Hurdle having run well in the Triumph Hurdle the year before. He is a dual Grade 1-winning novice having won the Challow Hurdle at Newbury and the Cathal Ryan Memorial Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown, and he is still unexposed to an extent as a staying hurdler. This was just his second run over hurdles since he won that race at Punchestown in April 2010. He certainly stays this trip really well and as long as he can be kept sweet – and riding him handily might be a key to that – then he is a player in the World Hurdle picture.

22nd December 2012