Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival sees the Stayers’ Hurdle take centre stage, with the best long-distance runners in this discipline battling it out in a test of stamina.
Run over three miles on the New course at the famous Cotswold venue, the Stayers’ Hurdle typically goes to an improver who sees out the trip really well – with just one winner older than nine successful since 1986.
A field of 14 has been declared for Thursday’s race, and our betting expert has picked out a pair to follow.
By Luke Seychell
Selection: Lucky Place @ 13/2 with BoyleSports
Next Best: The Wallpark @ 13/2 with BoyleSports
Elliott returns with last year’s winner
Gordon Elliott is looking for a hat-trick in the Stayers’ Hurdle, having won it with Sire Du Berlais in 2023 before striking last year with Teahupoo, who is back for more.
An unlucky third in the 2023 edition behind stablemate Sire Du Berlais, the eight-year-old returned from seven months off with victory in last season’s Hatton Grace before justifying 5/4 favouritism in this race 12 months ago and then striking at the Punchestown festival.
He has had a similar campaign this term, but he was defeated by subsequent Mares’ Hurdle winner Lossiemouth in the Hatton’s Grace on his reappearance in December, looking a touch laboured.
Just like last year, Teahupoo has been off since and is a strong market leader with most firms, but he would probably want the ground softer and is worth taking on.
Place to be Lucky for Nicky
It’s been 25 years since Nicky Henderson last won the Stayers’ Hurdle, but LUCKY PLACE is just the sort of improver who looks perfect for this assignment.
He showed improved form when stepping up in trip as a novice last season, notably going down by just three-quarters of a length to Tuesday’s Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace despite conceding that rival 14lb, and was one of only a handful of runners to go well for Henderson at last season’s Festival, finishing fourth in the Coral Cup.
The six-year-old has looked an improved model this season, winning the Ascot Hurdle in November on bad terms before following up in the Relkeel Hurdle on this course in January. We feel that Lucky Place could be the horse to win the Stayers’ Hurdle this time out.
Cheltenham Tip 1: Selection – Lucky Place @ 13/2 with BoyleSports
The Wallpark solid option to stablemate
Savills Hurdle winner Home By The Lee looks to be in the form of his life and is tempting, but he is now a 10-year-old, has been beaten in the last three runnings of this race and is short enough in the market.
THE WALLPARK hasn’t quite got the same Grade 1 credentials as his fellow Irish-trained raider or stablemate Teahupoo, but he won four in a row last year, culminating in a defeat of Gowel Road, who was receiving 4lb, in a 3m handicap hurdle on the Old course in October.
He was pitched into the Grade 1 Long Distance Hurdle at Ascot when last seen in December and emerged with plenty of credit in finishing fourth, staying on really strongly in the closing stages in a race that was slowly run.
They’re almost certain to go at a good gallop in this contest and that should suit him down to the ground. If Lucky Place fails to get home, The Wallpark will take advantage.
Cheltenham Tip 2: Next Best – The Wallpark @ 13/2 with BoyleSports
