Charles Byrnes hoping Stayers' Hurdle joint-favourite will return in near future

Charles Byrnes insists he has not given up hope on getting Blazing Khal to the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle but admitted that "niggly" setbacks with the talented youngster means his progress has been slow.

Despite having failed to appear on a racecourse for more than a year – and being untried outside of novice company over hurdles – Blazing Khal finds himself as 6-1 joint-favourite alongside Home By The Lee for the Stayers' Hurdle with BoyleSports after a significant shake-up in the division this week.

Reigning champion Flooring Porter is now out to 7-1 (from 5) with the same firm after suffering his third defeat on the bounce when fourth to Home By The Lee in the Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle on Wednesday.

Klassical Dream missed his festive assignment and is priced at 15-2 for Cheltenham success.

Blazing Khal: unbeaten in three starts over hurdles last seasonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Byrnes did not nominate a potential returning point for Blazing Khal but expressed his hope that the dual Grade 2-winning novice hurdler from last season could appear "in the next two or three weeks".

An official mark of 147 leaves the promising stayer with something to find on division leaders Flooring Porter, Klassical Dream (both rated 162) and Home By The Lee (157).

"It's slow progress with him," said Byrnes, who won the World Hurdle in 2013 with Solwhit.

"We're hoping to get him out in the next two or three weeks. It's just been niggly things."

The Limerick trainer added: "I haven't given up hope yet but I wouldn't be rushing into backing him either. It is frustrating. The division looks to be open."

Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 16)

Paddy Power: 5 Flooring Porter, 6 Blazing Khal, Home By The Lee, 8 Klassical Dream, 12 Ashdale Bob, Teahupoo, 14 Paisley Park, Buzz, 16 bar.

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