Teahupoo merits consideration as he aims for a repeat win but Steve Ryder is siding with an outsider in the feature race on Day 3.
16:00 Thursday
The Stayers’ Hurdle is the standout event of Day 3 at the Cheltenham Festival, a Grade 1 race covering 3 miles. It welcomes horses aged four and up and takes place on the new course, featuring 12 hurdles to navigate - 15 runners have been declared for the race.
Stayers Hurdle Winners, Trends & Stats
Between 2002 and 2012, this race and the staying hurdle category were ruled by three standout horses: Baracouda (2002 & 2003), Inglis Drever (2005, 2007 & 2008), and Big Buck’s (2009-2012), each securing multiple victories.
In recent years, Flooring Porter (2021 & 2022) triumphed in back-to-back runnings, and Teahupoo is currently a strong favourite to achieve the same.
Here are some betting trends to consider if you’re thinking of using one of the Cheltenham free bets on the Stayers' Hurdle:
- Nine of the last 11 winners were aged six or seven.
- Seven of the last 11 winners were in their second season over hurdles.
- 18 of the last 21 winners had placed 1st or 2nd in their previous outing.
- 16 of the last 28 winners had either won or placed at the Festival before.
- 23 of the last 24 winners had previously placed in at least one Grade 1 race.
Stayers Hurdle Key Runners & Contenders
Teahupoo
Last year’s champion, Teahupoo has followed a similar build-up this season, kept fresh since the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle. In 2023, he outran Impaire Et Passe in that race, but this term he was soundly beaten by Lossiemouth by 3¾ lengths. After his Stayers’ Hurdle win last year, he followed up with a commanding 6½-length victory at Punchestown on yielding ground.
Home By The Lee
This horse has been defeated in this race over the past three years, with his best result being 3rd last season. However, he’s won both starts this term, including a Grade 1 triumph last time out, arriving in top form despite now being 10 years old.
Lucky Place
A promising six-year-old, Lucky Place was one of the few Nicky Henderson-trained horses to shine at last year’s Festival, finishing 4th in the Coral Cup. He kicked off this season with a win in the Grade 2 Ascot Hurdle and later beat Gowel Road by ¾ length in the Relkeel Hurdle, conceding 6lbs to that rival.
The Wallpark
Bought by JP McManus after winning a Pertemps Qualifier at Cheltenham in October—his fourth consecutive victory—he placed 4th in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in his first Grade 1 attempt last time out. Improvement is expected from that run.
Langer Dan
A horse that peaks in spring, Langer Dan has competed at the last four Festivals. He was 6th in the Fred Winter in 2020 and came 2nd to Galopin Des Champs in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle in 2021.
Having won the Coral Cup the past two years off a mark of 141, he upped his game by narrowly losing by a short neck in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle. His stamina over 3 miles remains unproven, but his Festival record demands respect.
Mystical Power
Unbeaten until finishing 2nd, just 1½ lengths behind, in last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, he bounced back with Grade 1 wins at Aintree and Punchestown. His two runs this season over 2 miles at Grade 1 level have been underwhelming, but he could intrigue over this longer distance for the first time.
Rocky’s Diamond
A rising five-year-old, he defied 66/1 odds to take 3rd behind Home By The Lee in the Grade 1 Savills Hurdle at Christmas. He then beat Thedevilscoachman by 1¼ lengths in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle, with that rival later winning by nine lengths to enhance the form.
Gowel Road
Exceptionally reliable, finishing 2nd in his first four starts this season, all at Cheltenham. He defeated Monmiral by 2¼ lengths in the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle last time out over this course and distance and could place at a big price.
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Stayers Hurdle Trainers & Jockeys to Watch
Gordon Elliott has prepared the last two winners - Teahupoo and Sire Du Berlais - and also trained the Pertemps Final winner from 2018 to 2020, making his long-distance hurdlers noteworthy.
Paul Nicholls leads the training ranks in this race, thanks to Big Buck’s four consecutive wins from 2009 to 2012. He might field Monmiral, last year’s Pertemps Final winner at the Festival.
Stayers Hurdle Ground Conditions & Weather
Drier ground could trouble Teahupoo, who excels when the going is soft. Conversely, Lucky Place and Langer Dan, whose stamina over 3 miles is uncertain, might benefit from firmer conditions.
Tango Bet
Stayers Hurdle Pace & Tactics
With just two hurdles in the final seven furlongs on the New Course, this race often favours patiently ridden horses. Most top contenders fit this mould, but Gowel Road, a robust stayer at this distance, could set the pace.
Stayers Hurdle Tips
Teahupoo merits consideration as he aims for a repeat win, but I’m inclined to take a punt on MYSTICAL POWER (best odds 16/1), stepping up beyond 2m½f for the first time.
Willie Mullins adopted a similar approach with Nichols Canyon in 2017, who, after two defeats at short odds over 2 miles that season, won this race next time out. Second-season hurdlers claimed seven of eight runnings from 2014 to 2021, and in a field where fresh talent stands out, he’s worth a bet at these odds.
