Stayers Hurdle Tips

Gordon Elliot’s Sire Du Berlais threw a spanner in the works by winning this last year at 33/1.

In doing so he beat Dashel Drasher – who was later disqualified – and stablemate Teahupoo, and both Elliot runners return for another crack at this in what is an attractive field.

State Man won at EVENS on Tuesday, Ballyburn won at EVENS Wednesday – find out Thursday’s boost below:

Day 3 featured races quick links:

13:30 Turner Novices Chase Tips
14:10 Pertemps Final Tips
14:50 Ryanair Chase Tips
15:30 Stayers Hurdle Tips
16:10 Plate Handicap Tips
16:50 Mares Hurdle Tips
17:30 Kim Muir Tips

Teahupoo will likely go off favourite and is currently available at 7/4. Recent form is impressive and he’s clearly the one the other 12 runners will be aiming for. They include Sire Du Berlais who as we saw has it in him to take a race like this and at 14/1 should not be overlooked.

Dashel Drasher is another returnee at a price of 18/1, and although in decent form has a lot to do in a field such as this. Emma Lavelle’s Paisley Park still has the pace but others appeal more, and we cannot rule out Gavin Cromwell’s Flooring Porter, winner of this race in 2021 and 2022 and back for another go.

A horse that will attract a lot of support from faithful punters is Noble Yeats, and Emmet Mullins’ horse is one that we like the look of for this under Harry Cobden. 13/2 is a good price for a horse with a real chance of being in the mix when it matters.

Nicky Henderson enters old favourite Champ and many may be tempted to take 28/1 for a place, but he’s not the force he once was.

This is a great race in prospect, and one we are looking forward to very much.

What happened in 2023?

It’s bizarre to say that a two time winner of this race has never gone off favourite and doesn’t look like he will be this year either but Flooring Porter has been rather disappointing this season in his two starts.

He has been given his normal campaign by Gavin Cromwell when starting in the Lismullen over an inadequate trip.

He looked awkward and as if something was amiss when fourth in the Christmas Hurdle. His connections haven’t exactly been bullish coming into this year’s festival when in mid January they said he was 50/50 on regaining his crown but in recent days they have said he’s on target.

He’s shown he’s a difficult ride hanging under pressure and needs to keep quiet going down to the start.

You just have to look at the run-in at last year’s race to show how awkward he can be but Danny Mullins gets on really well with him and will surely have him under control.

Teahuppo has flourished this season and shocked many when winning the Hatton’s Grace beating Honeysuckle & Klassical Dream. He seemed to love the step up to three miles in the Galmoy but that was a disappointing turnout for the race and I didnt think he beat an awful lot.

He’s a lot more progressive than a few in this but the Stayers is normally a stout stamina test and I’m not sure that’s what he wants at this stage of his career.

Blazing Khal is another unexposed rival but it’s not clear if he will be running at the Festival.

He heads the betting for this field after a great return from a long lay off in the Boyne Hurdle. He cut himself that day and has had a few days off to recover but may not make the festival in time.

He won at Cheltenham in November 2021 beating future Grade One winner Gelino Bello.

His novice form even though that strong form line isn’t that good and I’m not sure the form of that last time is that good.

For the reasons above I’m against him.

Home By The Lee has been solid this year when winning the Lismullen & Christmas Hurdle.

He finds plenty of the bridle and needs a fair bit of encouragement but gallops all the way to the line. Connections say he doesn’t like to be crowded so is often ridden wide but in top races such as this it isn’t ideal especially with such a large field this year. If he’s in the right mood I think he will go very close.

I have to give a mention to the 2019 winner, a legend that is Paisley Park who has been better than ever this season winning the Long Walk for the third time but over a different course and distance. Kempton really shouldn’t suit him with sharp turns on a right handed track but cajoled into the race he finished strongly to win nicely.

The Cleeve Hurdle didn’t go his way last time as they went no gallop and it turned into a sprint.

This race looks like it will be a nice gallop which he will love so he could be dangerous over a course and distance he adores.

He’s obviously of value to me.

Paisley Park 12/1 E/W