Eyecatchers from the hurdle races at Cheltenham It was a Cheltenham Festival to remember with some stunning winners but there was also plenty to unpick amongst the beaten horses. Here we are taking a look at some beaten hurdlers that might be worth keeping tabs on going forward this spring. Wendrock Gordon Elliott had to wait until the final race on Friday to get his name on the scoresheet but the Cullentra handler had plenty of runners going well in defeat. Amongst them was Wendrock in the Fred Winter, finishing sixth behind handicap blip Puturhandstogether for Joseph O'Brien. Jack Kennedy's partner was nearer last than first turning downhill for home and he didn't make a great jump at the last, but he was never nearer than when crossing the line. Given that he had also gone well for a long way in the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival previously, he's one to note when his stamina is stretched out. Sixandahalf It was a super week for Gavin Cromwell and he will feel there were more than enough positives to take from Sixandahalf finishing second in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle. Keith Donoghue had her in a good position throughout and they looked to be going better than anything at the second last. In front at the final flight, they were undone by the fast-finishing Air Of Entitlement in the final 50 yards. This mare has a bright future and should get her graded rewards this spring. Rocky's Diamond The Stayers' Hurdle saw Bob Olinger denying favourite Teahupoo as owners Robcour enjoyed a one-two and Gordon Elliott had The Wallpark in third. The one to take out of the race might be Rocky's Diamond for trainer Declan Queally, given he was the only five-year-old in the Grade 1 contest. Winner of the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park in January, this was another step forward from him and he's got lots of time for better. It will be interesting to see what his connections plot from here. Derryhassen Paddy Lucinda Russell saw Derryhassen Paddy defeated for the first time but he emerged from the Albert Bartlett with lots of credit behind Irish duo Jasmin Des Vaux and The Big Westerner. This was the fastest surface Derryhassen Paddy has faced and he was up on the front end throughout. He couldn't hold back the front two when they arrived on the scene but he showed plenty of guts to cling on for his bronze medal. He looks the sort to excel over fences next season and should be one for the trackers. Spirit d'Aunou Gary & Josh Moore's Spirit d'Aunou was 'best of the British' in the County Hurdle, behind a quartet of runners from Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott. He did plenty of the hard yards on or close to the pace and was still in front going to the final flight, showing a pleasing attitude up the Cheltenham hill. He hasn't won over hurdles since December 2023 but this latest effort suggests he has now dropped to the sort of mark from which he can expect him to bag a prize soon. Get €60 in FREE BETS with the BetVictor sign up offer:
