15:05 Cheltenham

Thursday 18 March 2021

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:50

Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 5m 51.78s

Bacardys^t⁴⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153| D

50/1

Smart hurdler who ran up to best when third in this last season. Somewhat disappointing this term however, so unlikely to make a similar impact.

Form: 243-4P5

Beacon Edge²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 155| BF

10/1

Smart hurdler who didn't need to improve to win 6-runner Boyne Hurdle at Navan (from Fury Road) last time and may well benefit from the step up in trip, so he's no forlorn hope.

Form: 2-11331

Flooring Porter^t⁸⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D E Mullins| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 160| D

12/1

Has been firmly on the up this season and made the breakthrough at the top level with an emphatic success from the front in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown 80 days ago. Could improve again.

Form: 2-13211

Fury Road^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 156| BF| D

4/1

Smart and likeable hurdler who was a narrow third in the Albert Bartlett 12 months ago and was narrowly denied by Beacon Edge in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan recently. Place claims.

Form: 143-142

If The Cap Fits^p,t1⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: H Fry| OR: 158

25/1

Grade 1 winning hurdler who scored easily at Ffos Las on chase debut. Hasn't looked a natural upped in class since, but return to the smaller obstacles should suit. Not totally dismissed.

Form: 15-1232

Lil Rockerfeller^v1⁶¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 148| CD

66/1

Last hurdling win came well over 3 years ago and, while he's posted a couple of good efforts in second this term, he's expected to come up short in a first-time visor.

Form: 0/323-22

Lisnagar Oscar²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 159| CD

11/1

Last year's winner who looked right back to his best when runner-up in the Rendlesham at Haydock last time, so likely to give a good account once more.

Form: F31-472

Main Fact^b1²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Fergus Gillard| T: D Pipe| OR: 153| D

150/1

Made it 9 on the spin when scoring on return to hurdles off a mark of 147 over C&D in November. Has come up short in better company since, though, and similar story likely to unfold.

Form: 111-174

Paisley Park⁸⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 165| CD

9/4

Still the leading staying hurdler, a point underlined by his strong-finishing victory in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December. Should take all the beating as he looks to regain the crown.

Form: 1/117-21

Reserve Tank¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 145

50/1

Grade 1 winning novice hurdler who ran to a similar level over fences last season. Probably needed the run when only fifth in National Spirit at Fontwell on return and faces a stiffer task, now.

Form: 1212P-5

Sam Spinner^b1¹¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Henry Brooke| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 157| D

66/1

High-class hurdler who made it 3-3 over fences last term but has been most disappointing on both outings this term, including in Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury 111 days ago.

Form: 8/111-P0

Sire Du Berlais^b,t⁸⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 160| CD

5/1

Landed Pertemps Final again last season and has shaped as if retaining all of his ability this term, so he ranks as the main danger to Paisley Park having likely been primed for a big run.

Form: 4941-13

The Storyteller³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 156| C| D

11/1

Smart hurdler who has developed into a very classy chaser and ran a cracker when second in the Irish Gold Cup last time. Definite claims if he can replicate that level back in this sphere.

Form: 121122

Vinndication^p,t¹¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 155| BF| D

16/1

Most likeable and progressive chaser who took it up another notch when 2 lengths second to Cyrname in Charlie Hall on reappearance. Fell on only subsequent start but has the class to get involved.

Form: 35/14-2U

Younevercall^p,t⁶⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 156WS

100/1

Smart hurdler who was fourth to Paisley Park in the Long Walk at Ascot but was pulled up in the Relkeel at Kempton subsequently. Up against it.

Form: 181/24P

Forecasts

Paisley Park (9/4), Fury Road (4/1), Sire Du Berlais (5/1), Beacon Edge (10/1), The Storyteller (11/1), Lisnagar Oscar (11/1), Flooring Porter (12/1), Vinndication (16/1), If The Cap Fits (25/1), Bacardys (50/1), Reserve Tank (50/1), Sam Spinner (66/1), Lil Rockerfeller (66/1), Younevercall (100/1), Main Fact (150/1)

PAISLEY PARK has looked as good, if not better than ever this term, doing well to get up close home to land the Long Walk at Ascot on his latest outing, so he's an obvious choice to regain his crown. Sire du Berlais tends to save his best for the Festival, so a bold showing is expected from him, while 2020 winner Lisnagar Oscar shouldn't be ruled out.