15:30 Cheltenham

Thursday 12 March 2020

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 6m 3.20s

Ask Dillon^p1⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: F O'Brien| OR: 141| D

66/1

Maiden/novice hurdle winner last season. Has improved this year with placed efforts at Chepstow and Sandown (both 2m7½f) in competitive handicaps. Cheekpieces added for the first time but his overall form suggests he will find this a difficult task.

Form: 1201-32

Bacardys⁷⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 157| BF| D

33/1

Dual Grade 1 winner as a novice in 2017 and his only win since came when defeating Apple's Jade three runs ago at Navan (2m4f, heavy) by 9½L. Beaten 23L here 12 months ago and generally falls short of the required level in Championship events.

Form: F6-2124

City Island^t⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: M Brassil| OR: 153| CWS

14/1

Impressive winner of the Ballymore (2m5f) last year, defeating Champ by 2L but disappointed at Punchestown. Jumped poorly in two chasing starts this season; he reverts to hurdles after a wind-operation with the raw ability but questions to answer.

Form: 111-6P2

Donna's Diamond²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Thomas Dowson| T: C Grant| OR: 145| D

100/1

Veteran who was second in a Grade 2 to Emitom at Haydock (3m½f) after a year off last time, a race he also won in 2018 with a career best. Stays well and handles cut in the ground and whilst he'll keep galloping, he 's vulnerable to younger rivals.

Form: 2/2135-2

Emitom²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 153| D

10/1

Lightly raced gelding who has won six of his eight starts including a career best when winning the Rendlesham at Haydock (3m½f, heavy) most recently. Handles soft ground well and is still improving for a trainer/jockey who won this race in 2015.

Form: 1112-61

L'Ami Serge⁴⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 155

50/1

Enigmatic character racing at his fifth Festival. Won the Aintree Hurdle (2m4f) and French Champion Hurdle (3m1½f) in 2017/2018 but hasn't matched that form since. Finished eighth two years ago and was 11L behind Paisley Park over C&D in January.

Form: 381/7-27

Lisnagar Oscar⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 146| D

50/1

Grade 2 winner (3m½f) as a novice hurdler last year who reverted to hurdles after two chasing runs in the autumn. Posted a career best when third to Paisley Park, beaten 4½L, over C&D last time. Needs improvement to win but has place claims.

Form: 3-239F3

Paisley Park⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 169| CD

4/6

Outstanding staying hurdler over the last 18 months, winning his last seven including this race last year by 2¾L with many of these behind. Won the Long Distance Hurdle (3m) and Cleeve Hurdle (C&D) this season and is the one they all have to beat.

Form: 1111-11

Penhill²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 156| CD

10/1

Winner of this race two years ago and also landed the Albert Barlett in 2017. Hasn't matched that form this year after 584-days off but has improved with each run and wouldn't be a surprise if his master handler has trained him to peak here.

Form: 12/6322

Ronald Pump^h,t⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Cooper| T: M J Smith| OR: 156| D

20/1

Won a decent Fairyhouse handicap (3m) in good style last season; impressive chasing debut before second in Grade 1 class. Switched to hurdles for good second at Leopardstown under top-weight but disappointed back over fences last time. Needs more.

Form: 11-1224

Summerville Boy⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 156| C

10/1

2018 Supreme winner. Had injury problems the following season but better than ever this year. Won over fences first time up before a fall but back over hurdles won a Grade 2 here (2m4½f) and chased home Paisley Park last time. Shouldn't be far away.

Form: 4-61F12

The Jam Man³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: R McNally| OR: 150| D

50/1

Rattled off a four-timer over fences and hurdles last year, improving 30lb in the process. Ran well in defeat in handicap company the last twice; most recently second of 28 at Leopardstown (3m) but that still leaves him plenty to find here.

Form: 111142

Tobefair⁴⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 153| CD

50/1

Likeable sort; narrowly denied in the Pertemps Final 12 months ago before winning well over C&D in April. Been in great form this season, won over C&D in October and in the frame both runs since including 6¾L behind Paisley Park most recently.

Form: 221-134

West Approach^p1²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 149| C

100/1

Gained deserved big race win over fences here (3m3½f) in November but a mixed bag since. Another good run here in December (3m2f) but ran poorly back over hurdles behind Emitom at Haydock (3m½f) last time and has been well beaten in this race twice.

Form: 21U3P4

Apple's Jade^b1,t⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: R Johnson| T: G Elliott| OR: 157| C| D

7/1

Tremendous mare who has won 10 Grade 1's. She won the Mares' in 2017 but below form here the last two years. Not had the best season this year, despite a Grade 1 win at Leopardstown in December. Blinkers on and is good enough if at her best.

Form: 3-5231P

Forecasts

Paisley Park (4/6), Apple's Jade (7/1), Emitom (10/1), Summerville Boy (10/1), Penhill (10/1), City Island (14/1), Ronald Pump (20/1), Bacardys (33/1), Lisnagar Oscar (50/1), Tobefair (50/1), The Jam Man (50/1), L'Ami Serge (50/1), Ask Dillon (66/1), Donna's Diamond (100/1), West Approach (100/1)

This race has had many multiple winners in recent years and PAISLEY PARK can be the latest with a follow-up to last year's success. He was impressive last season and has won both races comfortably this campaign, beating many of today's rivals. There are several that can be mentioned with place claims including Summerville Boy, who wasn't far behind Paisley Park last time, previous winner Penhill who looks to have been brought along steadily with this in mind, Emitom, who is still improving, and top mare Apple's Jade who hasn't shown her best here or this season but has the ability if everything falls into place.