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. Here are the Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle Tips for day three of the Cheltenham Festival.
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’. Trainer’s son Philip takes the ride.
Dashel Drasher
Mixes hurdling and chasing to great effect. Two fine efforts in defeat here on the last two starts but may just come up short again for West Country trainer Jeremy Scott. Place chance at best.
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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 to 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 the official handicapper rates him some 27lb behind the top-rated Teahupoo so best watched.
Home By The Lee
Joseph 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 has been off since. Has a good record fresh so recent absence is 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.
Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle Tips
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.
2 Klassical Dream @ 9/1 with William Hill
3 Blazing Khal @ 3/1 with Bet365
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All odds are accurate at the time of writing.
