PADDY POWER STAYERS' HURDLE - PREVIEW & TIPS
3:20 CHELTENHAM
PADDY POWER STAYERS' HURDLE (GRADE 1) (GBB RACE)
The championship event for staying hurdlers and the feature race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival.
STAYERS' HURDLE - PREVIEW
First run in 1912 and established as the championship staying hurdle in its modern form since the early 1970s, the Stayers’ Hurdle has long crowned the elite of the three-mile division. Legends of the race include Big Buck’s, whose four consecutive victories between 2009 and 2012 remain one of the Festival’s most dominant achievements, while Inglis Drever, Baracouda, Paisley Park and Flooring Porter also helped define the race across different eras. The contest demands stamina and precision rather than raw speed, with the New Course placing a premium on maintaining jumping rhythm and conserving energy before the punishing climb from the final hurdle.
This year’s renewal mixes established champions with a group of progressive challengers seeking to reshape the division. Former winners Teahupoo and Bob Olinger return with strong Cheltenham records, while younger contenders such as Kabral Du Mathan, Honesty Policy and Ma Shantou represent the emerging generation. The likely pace appears modest on paper with no obvious habitual front-runner, which may place added emphasis on tactical positioning turning for home and favour those capable of quickening off a controlled tempo.
STAYERS' HURDLE - RUNNER BY RUNNER GUIDE
BALLYBURN - 13/2
A brilliant winner of the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at this meeting two seasons ago who has since taken an unconventional route back to this discipline. His narrow defeat behind Teahupoo in the Hatton’s Grace showed he retains high ability, though his subsequent Leopardstown run raised questions about stamina at this trip. The application of a hood may help him settle, but he still needs to prove he fully stays three miles against proven specialists.
BOB OLINGER - 6/1
Last year’s winner produced one of the finest performances of his career when defeating Teahupoo here and remains unbeaten in four runs at Cheltenham. His second to that rival at Leopardstown over Christmas confirmed he retains plenty of ability despite advancing years. At eleven he is unlikely to improve further, yet his Festival record alone demands serious respect.
DODDIETHEGREAT - 25/1
Winner of last year’s Pertemps Final over this course and distance, a performance that highlighted both his stamina and liking for Cheltenham. His subsequent efforts in graded company have been respectable rather than threatening and he appeared held when third behind Ma Shantou and Impose Toi here in January. Blinkers replace cheekpieces in an attempt to sharpen him up.
GWENNIE MAY BOY - 80/1
Produced a career-best when winning the Rendlesham Hurdle last season but has failed to reproduce that form since. His recent runs have been disappointing and a change of yard has yet to spark improvement. On current evidence he appears well below the level required for a race of this calibre.
HEWICK - 28/1
A high-class chaser at his peak, highlighted by his King George victory in 2023 and still capable over hurdles when conditions suit. However, his recent efforts suggest his best days may now be behind him and he was comfortably beaten behind Impose Toi at Newbury earlier in the season. A wind operation may help, but the overall profile looks difficult.
HOME BY THE LEE - 28/1
A two-time Grade 1 winner who continues to perform admirably despite advancing years, most recently landing the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park. He has run with credit in previous renewals of this race but has struggled to make a decisive impact at the very top level recently. Likely to run honestly without quite matching the best.
HONESTY POLICY - 6/1
A lightly raced and progressive six-year-old whose profile suggests he could develop into a major staying hurdler. His close third behind Impose Toi in the Long Walk Hurdle on seasonal return was full of promise, particularly as he shaped as though the run would bring him forward. Still improving and capable of stepping up again over this trip.
IMPOSE TOI - 10/1
A steadily improving stayer who confirmed his class when landing the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December, travelling strongly before asserting late on. His defeat behind Ma Shantou in the Cleeve Hurdle is easier to forgive given he was conceding weight on testing ground that may not have suited. Back on a sounder surface and returning to level weights, his blend of stamina and tactical pace makes him an appealing contender.
KABRAL DU MATHAN - 4/1
An exciting young hurdler who has rapidly progressed since joining Dan Skelton, notably when impressively winning the Relkeel Hurdle here on New Year’s Day. That performance highlighted his turn of foot and ability to handle Cheltenham’s uphill finish. The main question concerns stamina for this longer trip, though his strong finishing effort last time suggests it may well prove within reach.
MA SHANTOU - 6/1
A rapidly improving seven-year-old whose three Cheltenham victories this season include a commanding success in the Cleeve Hurdle over this course and distance. That performance marked him down as a serious contender for this race, though he now faces deeper opposition than in January. His stamina and course form make him one of the most credible challengers.
TEAHUPOO - 7/2
One of the division’s most consistent performers with an outstanding Festival record that includes a victory in 2024 and placings in two other renewals of this race. His Christmas Hurdle success at Leopardstown confirmed he remains at the peak of his powers. However, his reliance on a strongly run race can sometimes leave him vulnerable if the tempo proves tactical.
STAYERS' HURDLE - FINAL THOUGHTS
The absence of an obvious front-runner suggests the race may unfold at a measured early tempo before building into a true stamina test from the final mile. Horses capable of travelling comfortably and producing a finishing effort from the second-last hurdle could therefore hold a tactical advantage.
Impose Toi appeals as the one most likely to capitalise. His Long Walk victory confirmed his ability at the highest level over this trip and the circumstances of his defeat in the Cleeve Hurdle offer a credible excuse. Returning to better ground and level weights, he looks capable of producing a career-best performance.
The chief dangers include Teahupoo, whose consistency and proven class ensure another bold bid, while Ma Shantou brings excellent course form and continued progression. Kabral Du Mathan remains the intriguing wildcard if he proves fully effective over three miles.