A Stayers' Hurdle possible, festival dark horse and 16-1 fancy for Sandown

Of all the Cheltenham Festival races, the Stayers' Hurdle is the market that currently interests me the most.

Last week's action prompted a number of shuffles to the order. It started when Klassical Dream finished a bitterly disappointing fourth to Royal Kahala in the Galmoy Hurdle on Thursday and then Champ's claims took a hit – albeit a smaller one – in Saturday's Cleeve Hurdle when he was beaten in remarkable circumstances by the ten-year-old Paisley Park.

As a result, Flooring Porter is now the outright favourite despite the fact he didn't leave his box. It is ironic as he can be quirky, but now looks the solid option (trademarked Graeme Rodway) in the race he won last year.

Of course Baracouda, Inglis Drever and Big Buck's all scooped several runnings each but I'm yet to be convinced Flooring Porter is in their league and I think there's value to be found in taking him on.

Philip Hobbs has probably been quietly happy watching the latest developments given his duo Thyme Hill and Sporting John haven't jeopardised their credentials, but I'm not sure either are truly top-class. Similar comments apply to Sire Du Berlais and Royal Kahala, who needs soft ground and has the alternative of the Mares' Hurdle.

That race could also be the one for Indefatigable, but her trainer Paul Webber indicated the Stayers' could also be an option after she won the bet365 Hurdle in October.

Indefatigable (centre, blue) beat Paisley Park (right) at Wetherby in OctoberCredit: Edward Whitaker

She beat both Thomas Darby, who went on to win the Long Distance Hurdle, and Paisley Park with consummate ease at Wetherby and she proved she can beat the boys at the festival when winning the Martin Pipe in 2020.

She was inexplicably poor at Newbury in November but bounced back at Cheltenham when going down by just a neck to Martello Sky. She was giving that mare, who has since won a Listed race, 4lb and I'm confident the form would be reversed if they met again.

In addition, Indefatigable won over 1m4f on the Flat at Pontefract as a prep for Wetherby and the horse she beat then, Doctor Parnassus, made a really promising hurdling debut at Ascot a fortnight ago.

The mare's Cheltenham form reads 512142, which includes a decent fourth in the Mares' Hurdle on unsuitably soft ground last year.

She is a best-priced 16-1 to win that race this year, which is probably a few points too big, but I think connections should give the Stayers' serious consideration given it doesn't look a strong race and she'd get a 7lb allowance.

She can be backed at 50-1 (33-1 non runner no bet), which doesn't make much sense as she's already beaten two of the biggest British-trained challengers.

I'm reluctant to put her up just yet with a few other factors to consider, but that could change in a week or two and I certainly wouldn't put you off.

Fancy a festival dark horse

Another horse I've got my eye on for various Cheltenham races is Pats Fancy.

He was Grade 2-placed at Cheltenham as a staying novice hurdler two years ago but looks as if he'll make a much better chaser as he's won his last two starts over fences.

At the start of December he beat Gericault Roque, who has since finished second in the Mandarin and Classic Chase, and Broken Halo, who won impressively at Exeter afterwards.

He returned to Chepstow and won again, this time stretching 11 lengths clear of Saturday's easy novice handicap chase winner Imperial Alcazar, recording a Racing Post Rating of 150 in the process.

He's rated 142 so should comfortably get into either the Ultima or the Kim Muir, but don't dismiss him from running a big race in either the Brown Advisory (33-1) or preferably the National Hunt Chase (20-1).

Rebecca Curtis (right) has trained festival winners Teaforthree, At Fishers Cross, O'Faolains Boy, Irish Cavalier and Lisnagar OscarCredit: Edward Whitaker

His trainer Rebecca Curtis has won both with O'Faolains Boy and Teaforthree, and unlike most, I wasn't deeply impressed by what National Hunt Chase favourite Stattler did at Naas on Sunday. I think Pats Fancy could have what it takes to take him on and it is worth putting him on your shortlist for one of the handicaps.

Lady makes Sandown appeal

Emmpressive Lady
2.55 Sandown
1pt each-way 16-1 generally

It's been a tough few weeks on the tipping front so I'm going to take a bit of a breather with just one selection as the entries are looking pretty disappointing at Sandown on Saturday.

I'd be surprised if more than five turn up in both the Contenders Hurdle and Scilly Isles, and the most interesting race will probably be the Grade 3 handicap hurdle (2.55).

The one who catches my eye is Emmpressive Lady, who was last seen beating another well-handicapped mare in Tequila Blaze at Kempton the day after Boxing Day.

Emmpressive Lady: should be well-suited by a test of stamina at SandownCredit: Edward Whitaker

She is unexposed over staying trips as that was just her second try at three miles. She tried it for the first time in the same race in 2020 when she chased home Molly Ollys Wishes, who won a Grade 2 at Ascot recently.

She has gone up just 5lb for her last win and I think she was value for more as she picked up strongly under pressure and looked as if she'd have found even more had another horse come to her.

Sandown is due to get some showers on Saturday and if that materialises she will have an even better chance as she loves testing ground and is going to get in off a low weight.

She is a previous course winner on heavy ground and reminds me a little of Sirop De Menthe, who also boasted a big white face and was also trained by Sue Gardner for owners Clear Racing.

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