15:30 Cheltenham

Thursday 17 March 2022

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

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

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 5m 58.24s

Champ⁴⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: N J Henderson| OR: 163| BF| CD

11/2

RSA Chase winner in 2020 who proved he remains equally effective over timber when winning the Long Walk on return. Creditable second behind resurgent Paisley Park in Cleeve since and not discounted.

Form: F1/2P-12

Flooring Porter^t⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 164| CD

4/1

Remarkable rise through the ranks last term, dominant when making all in this race 12 months ago. Dispelled a fall when second behind Klassical Dream over Christmas and big player in defence of crown.

Form: 111P-F2

Home By The Lee⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 150

33/1

Smart handicap chaser who is unexposed as a staying hurdler and pulled clear of remainder when runner-up to Royal Kahala in Gr 2 Galmoy Hurdle (24.4f) latest. Still, this demands a whole lot more.

Form: 10-0P22

Klassical Dream^h⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 166| BF| C| D

11/4

High-class hurdler who landed 2019 Supreme and registered pair of Grade 1s 8 months apart last year, beating Flooring Porter at Leopardstown over Christmas. Below par latest but type to bounce back.

Form: 135/1-14

Koshari^p¹³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonathan Moore| T: D M Christie| OR: 152

100/1

Smart on his day and ran right up to his best when running out an 80/1 winner of an Aintree handicap (24.7f) on yard debut in November. However, likely to fall short in this much stronger contest.

Form: 1-65031

Lisnagar Oscar^p⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 147| CD

40/1

Good winner of this race in 2020 and whilst winless since he does arrive having run best race of the season when third in C&D Cleeve Hurdle in January. However, expected to find a few too good again.

Form: F8-35P3

Paisley Park^t⁴⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 161| CD

17/2

High-class hurdler who won this in 2019 and confirmed himself no back number when gaining third Cleeve Hurdle victory from Champ in January. Slow start evident again then a worry, but he's respected.

Form: 3P-3331

Song For Someone⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: T Symonds| OR: 151| C

33/1

Very smart hurdler who bounced back to best to finish placed in pair of Grade 2s since returning this winter. Latest Sandown run in February most disappointing, though, and likely to fall short here.

Form: 12P-224

Thyme Hill⁸⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 161| BF| C| D

11/2

Good record over hurdles, impressing with attitude when landing Gr1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree in April. Good second behind Champ in Long Walk in December and he arrives here fresh. Respected.

Form: 4/121-52

Royal Kahala⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Kevin Sexton| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 148| D

11/2

Low-mileage, improving mare who added to her Leopardstown Gr 3 success when taking Gr 2 Galmoy Hurdle (24.4f) in January. Could have more to offer at this trip and any easing of ground will help.

Form: 129-211

Forecasts

Klassical Dream (11/4), Flooring Porter (4/1), Thyme Hill (11/2), Champ (11/2), Royal Kahala (11/2), Paisley Park (17/2), Home By The Lee (33/1), Song For Someone (33/1), Lisnagar Oscar (40/1), Koshari (100/1)

Having made a remarkable rise through the ranks, FLOORING PORTER was dominant when landing this race 12 months ago. Things haven't been plain sailing since but he put up a huge effort when runner-up to Klassical Dream (pair clear) at Leopardstown over Christmas. Kept fresh since, he can make a bold bid to defend his crown. Klassical Dream and Thyme Hill can emerge next best.