15:30 Cheltenham

Thursday 16 March 2023

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

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

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 5m 54.38s

Ashdale Bob⁷⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 153

25/1

Smart hurdler who was a gallant third under top weight in the Coral Cup at last year's Festival and bounced back to his best when 3 lengths second to Home By The Lee in Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown (24f, soft) 78 days ago. However, unlikely he'll be ending his losing run in this.

Form: 23-2342

Blazing Khal³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Philip Byrnes| T: C Byrnes| OR: 157| CD

9/2

Took very well to hurdling last season, winning all 3 of his starts, notably a couple of Grade 2s at this track, and picked up where he left off after an absence (14 months) when defying a penalty in Boyne Hurdle at Navan (21f) 32 days ago. More needed here but has the most potential in the field.

Form: 41/111-1

Dashel Drasher⁴⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 153| C

40/1

Tough and likeable sort who resumed with a 2½m win over hurdles at Aintree in November. Runner-up in Relkeel Hurdle and Cleeve Hurdle here last 2 starts but proved a sitting duck for Gold Tweet in latter event and likely to be found wanting again.

Form: 2P-1222

Flooring Porter^t⁷⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: D E Mullins| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 162| CD

9/2

All-the-way winner of this race for the last 2 years. Excuses both starts this term, shaping as if needing run at Navan on return before not making it enough of a test when fourth in Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown. Big run expected now.

Form: F212-44

Gold Tweet^t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Johnny Charron| T: G Leenders| OR: 156| CD

7/1

Useful performer in France but took form to another level (smart) when impressive winner of the Cleeve Hurdle over this C&D 47 days ago, clearly well served by the extra distance. Up against the Irish now but remains unexposed at 3m so not to be underestimated.

Form: 33-3121

Henri Le Farceur¹⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Felix de Giles| T: H Merienne| OR: 136

80/1

French hurdler who arrives on the back of a career-best win in 5-runner Group 2 Prix Leon Olry Roederer at Auteuil (21.4f, heavy, 48/10) in December. However, well held both starts at this sort of trip (in Group 1s) so easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 561351

Home By The Lee⁷⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 157| D

9/1

Seemed to excel himself when sixth in this last year but has kicked on again this season, winning Grade 2 at Navan before making the breakthrough at this level in Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown, finding extra to beat Ashdale Bob by 3 lengths. Must be respected.

Form: 226-R11

Klassical Dream^h¹⁰²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 162| C| D

15/2

High-class hurdler who won a second-successive Champion Stayers' Hurdle at Punchestown and failed only narrowly in bid for a seventh Grade 1 victory when neck second to Teahupoo in Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse after 7 months off. Not seen to best effect when fifth in this last year. Player.

Form: 145-122

Paisley Park^t⁴⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 160| BF| CD

22/1

Unbeatable in 2018/19, completing the 5-timer in this race. Not quite at that level since but still picked up 2 Grade 1s and 3 Grade 2s, including his second Long Walk on Boxing Day. Respectable third under a penalty in Cleeve Hurdle next time and could run into the frame (third last 2 renewals).

Form: 13-5213

Sire Du Berlais^b,t³²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 152| CD

33/1

Excellent record at this meeting, winning 2 Pertemps Finals and also second to Flooring Porter in this 2 years ago. Ended last season with Grade 1 win at Aintree but signs of decline this campaign.

Form: 1-455P4

Teahupoo⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 163| D

9/4

High-class hurdler who posted a career best when winning Grade 1 Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse (19.6f, heavy) in December by neck from Klassical Dream. Defied a 9 lb penalty with flying colours in Grade 2 at Gowran (24.4f) next time, the longer trip no issue. Bold bid expected.

Form: 119-611

Result Amended

Dashel Drasher - Original Position 2nd. Amended Position 3rd.

Teahupoo - Original Position 3rd. Amended Position 2nd.

Forecasts

Teahupoo (9/4), Flooring Porter (9/2), Blazing Khal (9/2), Gold Tweet (7/1), Klassical Dream (15/2), Home By The Lee (9/1), Paisley Park (22/1), Ashdale Bob (25/1), Sire Du Berlais (33/1), Dashel Drasher (40/1), Henri Le Farceur (80/1)

An open renewal but TEAHUPOO has taken his form to another level this season, holding off Klassical Dream in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse before easily defying a penalty in a Grade 2 at Gowran over this trip, so Gordon Elliott's 6-y-o could be the answer. Flooring Porter hasn't had the ideal preparation but must be respected as he bids for a third straight win in this, while French-raider Gold Tweet shouldn't be underestimated given the manner of his win in the Cleeve Hurdle over C&D.