16:00 Cheltenham

Thursday 13 March 2025

All13:2014:0014:4015:2016:0016:4017:20

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

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 5m 58.85s

Bob Olinger⁷⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 158| C| D

8/1

Most kept to hurdles since winning the Turners here 3 years ago, picking up a couple of Grade 2s last season, including here (20f). Runner-up both starts this term, though shaped as if this trip is a bit of a stretch for him when 6 lengths behind Home By The Lee in Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Form: 1122-22

Buddy One^t⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J G Gilligan| T: P J Gilligan| OR: 153| CD

50/1

Surpassed expectations when fourth in this last year and backed that up when second in Liverpool Hurdle. Struggled to match that form sent chasing this term and well held back hurdling latest (reportedly made a respiratory noise). Tongue strap re-fitted now but will do well to make the frame again.

Form: 41343P

Crambo^t⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 156| D

40/1

Made up into a smart hurdler last term, notably landing the Long Walk at Ascot. Disappointed in Grade 1s after (including this race) but back on track when again taking the Long Walk on his seasonal return. Failed to recover from a bad mistake in Cleeve Hurdle here since. Others stronger.

Form: 3198-15

Franciscan Rock^p,t⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Gavin Brouder| T: M F Morris| OR: 147| D

80/1

Useful hurdler who was fifth in the Coral Cup here last season. In good heart this season, winning twice, but limitations once again exposed when third to Rocky's Diamond in Grade 2 at Gowran.

Form: 636113

Ga Law^p³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 142| C

50/1

Known as a smart chaser but arrives on the back of 2 lacklustre efforts in that sphere. Thrown into the deep end making a rare start over hurdles and easy to look elsewhere.

Form: P2-2295

Gowel Road⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 148| CD

33/1

A regular around here and finally gained reward for his consistency when making all in the Cleeve Hurdle over C&D 7 weeks ago. Should run his race again but that would still leave him well short of what will be required.

Form: 6-22221

Home By The Lee^b⁷⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 161| D

13/2

Running in this for the third time, his best effort coming when third last year. Has looked as good as ever this season, winning a Grade 2 at Navan on comeback before following up in Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas. Can make his presence felt once more.

Form: 53-3611

Lucky Place⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153| C

11/2

Signed off last term with an excellent fourth of 21 to Langer Dan in the Coral Cup here and has continued on the upgrade this season, winning Grade 2s at Ascot and Relkeel Hurdle here (20f). Likely to stay so must be respected given his rate of progress.

Form: 1224-11

Mystical Power^h⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 154

14/1

Smart novice hurdler last season, runner-up in the Supreme here before going one better in Grade 1s at Aintree and Punchestown. However, most disappointing both starts this term and now has a bit to prove up markedly in trip.

Form: 121-166

Nemean Lion¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 151

16/1

Likeable sort who appreciated the drop in class when winning at Hereford (handicap) and Windsor (class 2 conditions race) this winter. Gamely completed hat-trick in Grade 2 at Fontwell 18 days ago but struggled at this level last season. Also has stamina to prove.

Form: 67-2111

Rocky's Diamond⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Shane Fitzgerald| T: D Queally| OR: 151| D

28/1

Lightly-raced winner over hurdles who proved there was absolutely no fluke about his Christmas Hurdle effort (third behind Home By The Lee) when winning Grade 2 at Gowran 7 weeks ago. Still not the finished article but suspicion is this sort of challenge is a year too soon for him.

Form: 01-5131

Teahupoo¹⁰²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 164| CD

7/4

High-class hurdler who landed this race in decisive fashion 12 months ago. Followed up with a fourth Grade 1 in Champion Stayers at Punchestown in May and lost little in defeat when second in Hatton's Grace on return. Likely to prove a tough nut to crack again (goes especially well fresh).

Form: 34/11-12

The Wallpark⁸²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 152| CD

7/1

Progressive Irish hurdler who completed his 4-timer in 12-runner C&D handicap in October, Better form stepped up in class when fourth in the Long Walk at Ascot since, the slow early fractions counting against him. Still has more to offer so not taken lightly.

Form: 911114

Non-Runners

Langer Dan⁵⁵

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Monmiral⁴⁷

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: P F Nicholls J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Teahupoo (7/4), Lucky Place (11/2), Home By The Lee (13/2), The Wallpark (7/1), Bob Olinger (8/1), Langer Dan (10/1), Mystical Power (14/1), Nemean Lion (16/1), Rocky's Diamond (28/1), Gowel Road (33/1), Monmiral (33/1), Crambo (40/1), Buddy One (50/1), Ga Law (50/1), Franciscan Rock (80/1)

Previous winners have an excellent record in this and last year's decisive victor TEAHUPOO looks the one to beat again having followed the same route (kept fresh for this). Home By The Lee was a good third last year and arrives in better form this time around, so rates the main threat. Lucky Place and The Wallpark are also respected given their rate of progress.