The Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle Tips (3:30pm)

[StevieDay1983]

First run in 1912 the Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle is the premium staying hurdle of the national hunt season with some doughty stayers including Inglis Drever, Big Bucks and Thistlecrack having won it in the not too distant past. Gavin Cromwell has won the race the last two years with his Flooring Porter. They’ll be racing on the new course over a distance of just 7 yards short of three miles.

The one they all have to beat is the Gordon Elliott trained Teahupoo who took his form to a new level when stepping up to this trip in the John Mulhearn Hurdle at Gowran Park in late January. He blitzed his field that day coming home an impressive 15L clear of his opponents and although it can be argued he beat little he did it in such a fashion that he has to go close. Blazing Khal laid down his marker for shrewd Irish handler Charles Byrnes when defying a 428 day absence to win going away at Navan over 2M 5F in February. That was his first run since winning here in November 2021 over 3M and is officially rated only 6lb inferior to Teahupoo.

An interesting possible is the Nicky Henderson mare Marie’s Rock who won the mares hurdle at last year’s Festival. An impressive winner on her re-appearance of the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham. She will have to prove that she stays three miles but stormed up the hill on both her wins here and with the 7lb mares allowance can go well if allowed to race (she’s also got the mares hurdle entry). Home By The Lee is trained by Joseph O’Brien and looks an improved performer this season winning at Navan and Leopardstown (grade 1 Christmas Hurdle), he stays very well and is yet another possible Irish winner.

Gavin Crowmell’s Flooring Porter has won this for the last two years and although behind Home By The Lee twice this season shouldn’t be dismissed easily. Willie Mullins has Klassical Dream entered who was only a neck behind Teahupoo over 2M 3 1/2F in December and holds each way claims having gone off favourite for this lat year when a disappointing 5th beaten 5L to Flooring Porter. Mullins also has the veteran Sharjah but he has never raced beyond two miles so stamina has to be an issue. A good renewal with several holding chances but Teahupoo is only six years old and has plenty of potential at this trip and is the selection.

Punters Lounge Tip: Teahupoo @ 7/2 at >Betfair - Click Here To Bet

by The Brigadier

[The Brigadier]

First run in 1912 the Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle is the premium staying hurdle of the national hunt season with some doughty stayers including Inglis Drever, Big Bucks and Thistlecrack having won it in the not too distant past. Gavin Cromwell has won the race the last two years with his Flooring Porter. They’ll be racing on the new course over a distance of just 7 yards short of three miles.

ASHDALE BOB

Been beaten by two of the principals in Teahupoo and Home By The Lee this season and although he stays well, Jessie Harrington’s 8 year old may struggle in this company.

BLAZING KHAL

Bounced back from a 428 day absence to win a grade 2 2m 5F hurdle at Navan last month and the Charlie Byrnes trained 7 year old has a major chance as long as he doesn’t ‘bounce’. Trainers son Philip takes the ride.

DASHEL DRASHER

Mixes hurdling and chasing to great effect. Two fine efforts in defeat here on last two starts but may just come up short again for West Country trainer Jeremy Scott. Place chance at best.

FLOORING PORTER

Has won this race for the last two seasons. Has finished behind rival Home By The Lee on both starts this season but trained for this race for trainer Gavin Cromwell and it would be no shock were he get the treble up although he will need to bring his A game to pull it off.

GOLD TWEET

French raider trained by Gabriel Leenders who was not unbacked when winning over course and distance at the Trials meeting in January by 3L from Dashel Drasher (Paisley Park back in 3rd). Has claims on that effort and can run well each way with Johnny Charron in the saddle as he was last time.

HENRI LE FARCEUR

The second French trained contender trained by Hugo Merienne and ridden by Felix De Giles. Very hard to assess his form but official handicapper rates him some 27lb behind the top rated Teahupoo so best watched.

HOME BY THE LEE

Joeseph O’Brien trains this eight year old who appears better than ever this season winning grade 1 and 2 contest at Navan and Leopardstown respectively. Impressive victory last time over Christmas at the latter venue and stays well. Can make his presence felt in the finish.

KLASSICAL DREAM

Went off favourite for this last season when only 5th. Willie Mullins’ 9 year old split Teahupoo and Honeysuckle in the Hattons Grace over 2m 3F back in early December and been off since. Has a good record fresh so absence since not a problem. Can outrun his odds with Paul Townend on board.

PAISLEY PARK

3rd in this last year and seems to have been around for ages. 11 years old now and won this in 2019. Behind Gold Tweet last time and may not be the force of old. Trained by Emma Lavelle who’s gone 29 runs and 23 days since her last winner.

SIRE DU BERLAIS

Another eleven year old trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Mark Walsh. Held by several of these and impossible to fancy.

TEAHUPOO

Has won 8 of his 11 career starts and took his form to another level when stepped up to 3M for the first time at Gowran Park in the grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle in January on very soft ground sluicing up by an eased down 15L. All his wins have come on soft and heavy and although his trainer Gordon Elliott believes all ground come alike will no doubt be suited if there’s plenty of juice in the ground. Davy Russell takes the ride and is the one to beat as long as there’s give in the ground.

Summary:-

Teahupoo remains unexposed at the trip and as long as there’s give in the ground can take the Stayers Hurdle for Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell. Blazing Khal has obvious claims if not ‘bouncing’ following his win 32 days ago whilst the Mullins runner Klassical Dream can also run well coming here a fresh horse.

1 Teahupoo @ 11/4 William Hill

2 Klassical Dream

3 Blazing Khal

[MCLARKE]

The main race on day 3 of the Cheltenham festival is the Stayers Hurdle. It is the leading long-distance hurdle in the National Hunt calendar. It is run over 2 miles, 7 furlongs and 213 yards and is open to horses aged 4 years or older. Off time is 3.30.

The most prolific winner is the phenomenal Big Buck’s , who won the race 4 years in a row from 2009.

11 go to post and some bookmakers are offering each-way terms of 4 places which make this a good betting proposition.

I have looked at the statistics over the last 9 years and these are my key conclusions.

6- and 7-year-olds have much the better record. They have won 8 times from 55 attempts with a profit of 64 points at SP. The older horses have won just 1 from 68 attempts with a loss of 66 points.

The best odds forecast range is 7/1 to 20/1. These horses have produced 6 wins from 59 runs and a profit 53 points.

This leaves 2 horses. I would suggest backing these each way with bookmakers offering 4 places.

GOLD TWEET 11/1

HENRI LE FARCEUR 25/1