Stayers Hurdle Preview- Cheltenham Festival

Published on: 12/03/2020

Stayers Hurdle Preview- Cheltenham Festival

March 12, 2020 15:30pm - Cheltenham

Distance: 2m 7f 213y

Grade: (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4yo+)

Runners: 15

Winner: £182,878

Going: Soft

The Grade One Stayers Hurdle is the fourth race on Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival. This three-mile contest provides a real test for long-distance hurdlers. Previous winners include Thistlecrack, Big Buck`s, Inglis Drever and Baracouda.

The race has not seen a multiple winner since 2012 but Paisley Park stands a good chance of bucking that trend. The 2019 victor is back to defend his crown which he won in style. He has not put a foot wrong since winning both his outings this season including here at Cheltenham back in January. He arrives here unbeaten in seven, six of those around the three-mile mark. Therefore, it is hard to look past the Emma Lavelle-trained entry.

Another horse looking for a second win her is Penhill, Triumphant in 2018, he also won the Albert Barlett in 2017 but hasn`t lived up to that form this season after a lengthy break. However, he has shown steady improvement so his trajectory may have been planned with this race in mind. At 12/1, he is a strong each-way option.

Stayers Hurdle Winners - past six years:

2014: More of That (6) - Barry Geraghty (Jonjo O`Neill)

2015: Cole Harden (6) - Gavin Sheehan (Warren Greatrex)

2016: Thistlecrack (8) - Tom Scudamore (Colin Tizzard)

2017: Nichols Canyon (7) - Ruby Walsh (Willie Mullins)

2018: Penhill (7) - P Townend (Willie Mullins)

2019: Paisley Park (7) - Aidan Coleman (Miss E C Lavelle)

Latest Betting odds:

Paisley Park (8/13), Summerville Boy (8/1), Emitom (12/1), Penhill (12/1), Apple`s Jade (14/1), City Island (14/1), Ronald Pump (20/1), Bacardys (33/1), L`Ami Serge (40/1), Tobefair (50/1), The Jam Man (50/1), Lisnagar Oscar (50/1), Ask Dillon (66/1), West Approach (100/1), Donna`s Diamond (250/1)

By Neil Morris

Published on: 12/03/2020

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (12/03/2020 11:29:21) but are subject to change.