Stayers' Hurdle

This is undoubtedly the trickiest championship race of the entire week as a punter given that virtually all of the main protagonists have at some stage sparkled and on other occasions disappointed.

I think it’s fair to say that any of the top five or six horses in the betting could easily win and none would come as a surprise, which is fantastic from an entertainment aspect, but almost impossible from a punting perspective!

Flooring Porter

Flooring Porter will bid to become the first back-to-back winner of this race since the legendary Big Bucks, and although he is yet to win a race since his crowning glory 12 months ago, you get the impression that he has been brought along with the intention of peaking this week.

That said, he may well have landed back-to-back Christmas Hurdle’s at Leopardstown had Klassical Dream not been allowed to gain an early advantage, and a two lengths defeat on the day was still a very good effort given the circumstances.

This race does appear to have slightly more depth this year with Champ reverting to hurdling, Aintree Grade 1 winner Thyme Hill and the aforementioned Klassical Dream all in opposition.

However, Flooring Porter has improved out of all recognition over the last 18 months and he could still have more to come at the age of seven. He is therefore a worthy favourite and rates the one to beat.

Thyme Hill

Thyme Hill was an 11th hour absentee last year before claiming Grade 1 compensation at Aintree, and connections will be hopeful that he can show his ability on the biggest stage of them all this week.

Philip Hobbs’ tough-as-teak stayer made an inauspicious start to his campaign at Auteuil before splitting Champ and Paisley Park in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot when sent off the 5/2 favourite.

Thyme Hill boasts a fantastic record when fresh and it’s therefore no surprise that we haven’t seen him since. The talented eight-year-old also boasts a good record at Cheltenham and fewer miles on the clock than most of his rivals. He is undoubtedly a big contender for the British.

Klassical Dream

2019 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hero Klassical Dream failed to make the grade as a Champion Hurdle contender the following year before being sidelined by injury. However, he returned from a 487-day absence with breathtaking success Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown last April, and he could easily prove a champion at this distance.

The free-going eight-year-old confirmed that theory when defeating reigning champion Flooring Porter in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown, albeit with the aid of a head-start, but has since tarnished his reputation slightly by virtue of an odds-on defeat in the Galmoy Hurdle.

My chief concern would whether that race - on soft ground - has left a mark, especially as he seems to be a much better horse following a break.

That said, he is a previous Cheltenham Festival winner who is a dual Grade 1 winner at the trip. He therefore warrants the utmost respect.

Champ

Champ will forever be remembered for his last-gasp defeat of subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Minella Indo in the 2020 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, and understandably so given the dramatic finish to that contest. However, it’s fair to say that his jumping didn’t always convince - party to a back issue - and connections have decided to see whether hurdling will suit him better.

It certainly seemed to be a good idea when he defeated Thyme Hill and Paisley Park in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December. However, like Klassical Dream, he too blotted his copy book somewhat when suffering an odds-on defeat in the Cleeve Hurdle on Cheltenham Trials Day.

Champ clearly possesses a huge engine and is undoubtedly a classy performer when everything right. However, he clearly has issues that can plague him at the drop of a hat, which does increase the risk factor when heading into a race such as this.

I would confidently state that he is a big player in terms of ability and Nicky Henderson is a master at peaking a horse for the Cheltenham Festival. However, it’s hard to predict what will happen with any degree of confidence.

Paisley Park

Paisley Park is undeniably one of the most popular horses in training and it was fantastic to see him storming up the hill to claim victory in the Cleeve Hurdle in January. However, he’s facing a far sterner test in his attempt the regain the crown that he wore in 2019.

Emma Lavelle’s stable star failed to justify favouritism in bet365 Hurdle at Wetherby and the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury prior to placing third behind the aforementioned pair of Champ and Thyme Hill in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December, and all looked lost when he was reluctant to race at Cheltenham in January, conceding ground to his rivals at the start and looking beat coming down the hill.

However, the gutsy son of Oscar has never shied away from a battle and the manner of that success displayed that the fire still burns brightly within the former champion.

As alluded to above, this will represent a much stiffer test as the best of the Irish will be in opposition next week. But, having only been beaten four-and-a-half-lengths into third 12 months ago, you can never say never and, perhaps with the exception of Tiger Roll, there would not be a more popular winner all week.

Stayers’ Hurdle 2022 Prediction

Thyme Hill looks to have plenty going for him given his record when fresh and his record at the track. While Champ and Paisley Park both possess the engine to make their presence felt if arriving at the peak of their powers. 

However, the Irish do appear to hold a strong hand in this race and while I respect the chances of Klassical Dream, the fact that he isn’t fresh is a concern that I can’t overlook. With that in mind, I’ll side with FLOORING PORTER, who may well have beaten Klassical Dream at Christmas but for the somewhat unconventional start and who may still be on the upgrade given his age. 

Gavin Cromwell has a real knack for peaking his horses for a long term target and Flooring Porter has no real questions to answer, unlike some of his rivals.