15:20 Cheltenham

Thursday 12 March 2026

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

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

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 50.14s

Ballyburn^h1⁷⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| BF| C| D

11/2

Won Baring Bingham at this meeting 2 years ago. Ultimately failed to meet lofty expectations as a novice chaser but made a very good return to hurdling when just denied by Teahupoo in Hatton's Grace on return, looking unlucky having met trouble. However, only third in Christmas Hurdle since. Hooded.

Form: 2152-23

Bob Olinger⁷⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 163| CD

13/2

Comes alive here and took his unbeaten record at the track to 4 (including 3 Festival wins) when proving 1¾ lengths too strong for Teahupoo in this race last year. Looked as good as ever when chasing home that rival in Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown on return and another huge run expected.

Form: 22/221-2

Doddiethegreat^b1,t⁴⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 148| CD

40/1

Winner of Pertemps Final at this meeting last year. Advanced his form in graded events this season, though at the same time having his limitations exposed. Change of headgear.

Form: 12-3453

Hewick^b¹⁰⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Paddy Hanlon| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 152| DWS

50/1

High-class chaser (winner of the 2023 King George at Kempton) and no slouch in this sphere either but evidence this season suggest his best days are behind him. Has had a breathing operation.

Form: 18-7145

Home By The Lee^b⁴⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 159| D

33/1

Running in this for the fifth consecutive year, his best placing when third to Teahupoo in 2024, though was unlucky to unseat his rider 12 months ago. Not far off his very best when winning Grade 2 at Gowran 7 weeks ago but likely to find a few too good in this once again.

Form: 1UP6-41

Honesty Policy⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 156| BF

11/1

Completed hat-trick in 2½m Grade 1 novice at Aintree in April. Proved stamina for this trip when close second in Grade 1 novice at Punchestown later that month and made an encouraging return when 1½ lengths third to Impose Toi in Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot. More to come.

Form: 21112-3

Impose Toi⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 159| BF| C| D

8/1

Progressive over 3m this season, completing hat-trick in Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot in December. Looked unsuited by emphasis on stamina when 7 lengths behind Ma Shantou in Cleeve Hurdle over C&D since but drying ground would be in his favour.

Form: 42-1112

Kabral Du Mathan^t⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 154| C

4/1

Progressive around 2m for Paul Nicholls and took it up another notch for this yard when easily winning 19f handicap at Haydock on reappearance. Had plenty in hand when following up in the Relkeel here on New Year's Day and probably hasn't finished improving yet. Likely to stay 3m.

Form: 1222-11

Ma Shantou⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 154| CD

17/2

Much improved this season, winning all 3 starts over C&D, including when beating Impose Toi (gave 6 lb) by 7 lengths in the Cleeve Hurdle 7 weeks ago. Faces his toughest task to date but should hold his own.

Form: 37-1011

Teahupoo⁷⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 164| CD

9/4

High-class hurdler who landed this race in decisive fashion in 2024. Denied by Bob Olinger in this last year but has returned better than ever to bag 3 more Grade 1s (7 in total), including Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown by 7 lengths from the returning Bob Olinger. Sure to make another bold bid.

Form: 1/221-11

Non-Runners

Gwennie May Boy⁸²

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: Christian Williams J: C J Todd

Forecasts

Teahupoo (9/4), Kabral Du Mathan (4/1), Ballyburn (11/2), Bob Olinger (13/2), Impose Toi (8/1), Ma Shantou (17/2), Honesty Policy (11/1), Home By The Lee (33/1), Doddiethegreat (40/1), Hewick (50/1), Gwennie May Boy (100/1)

Previous winners have an excellent record in this and last year's decisive victor BOB OLINGER looks the value call ahead of 2024 winner Teahupoo, who was unable to match the selection's turn of foot when runner-up 12 months ago. This does look a deep renewal, however, with progressive trio Honesty Policy, Kabral du Mathan and Ma Shantou all on the shortlist.