2024 Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival: the runners, the odds, the verdict

The Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (3.30) is the main event on day two of the Cheltenham Festival as a strong field of 12 head to post for this 3m stamina contest. Can a young stayer come out on top, or will a veteran lead the way? Read on for our runner-by-runner guide . . .

• 3.30 Cheltenham (Thursday, March 14): Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle

1 Asterion Forlonge

Grade 1 runner-up back over hurdles last spring but not at same level in November/December

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Patrick Mullins
SP forecast: 50-1

Asterion Forlonge15:30 Cheltenham

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Jky: Mr P W Mullins Tnr: W P Mullins

2 Buddy One

Progressive handicapper last year; something to prove in Grade 1 but not ruled out each-way

Trainer: Paul Gilligan
Jockey: Jack Gilligan
SP forecast: 25-1

Asterion Forlonge15:30 Cheltenham

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Jky: Mr P W Mullins Tnr: W P Mullins

Cheltenham Festival free bets: Sky Bet offer

3 Champ

Non-runner

4 Crambo

Won Grade 1 Long Walk; needs a bigger run but keeps finding the necessary further progress

Trainer: Fergal O'Brien
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
SP forecast: 5-1

Crambo15:30 Cheltenham

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Jky: Jonathan Burke Tnr: Fergal O'Brien

5 Dashel Drasher

40-1 second in this last year; cause may be aided if going is soft; each-way chance once more

Trainer: Jeremy Scott
Jockey: Rex Dingle
SP forecast: 20-1

Dashel Drasher15:30 Cheltenham

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Jky: Rex Dingle Tnr: Jeremy Scott

6 Flooring Porter

Made all in this 2021 and 2022; needs to get back to his very best to regain his crown

Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Jockey: Keith Donoghue
SP forecast: 11-1

Flooring Porter15:30 Cheltenham

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Jky: Keith Donoghue Tnr: Gavin Cromwell

7 Home By The Lee

A return to form is needed but last year's fifth in this can be upgraded (bad blunder)

Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
Jockey: JJ Slevin
SP forecast: 12-1

Home By The Lee15:30 Cheltenham

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Jky: J J Slevin Tnr: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

8 Janidil

High-class chaser in his prime but this ten-year-old has something to prove now back hurdling

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Jody McGarvey
SP forecast: 50-1

Janidil15:30 Cheltenham

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Jky: Jody McGarvey Tnr: W P Mullins

9 Noble Yeats

Cleeve Hurdle winner and now back in cheekpieces, in which he won the 2022 Grand National

Trainer: Emmet Mullins
Jockey: Harry Cobden
SP forecast: 13-2

Noble Yeats15:30 Cheltenham

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Jky: Harry Cobden Tnr: Emmet Mullins

10 Paisley Park

Won this in 2019; highly creditable second in all three races this season; each-way chance

Trainer: Emma Lavelle
Jockey: Tom Bellamy
SP forecast: 12-1

Paisley Park15:30 Cheltenham

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Jky: Tom Bellamy Tnr: Emma Lavelle

11 Sire Du Berlais

Can't keep going forever but enhanced excellent festival record with win in this last year

Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Mark Walsh
SP forecast: 12-1

Sire Du Berlais15:30 Cheltenham

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Jky: Mark Walsh Tnr: Gordon Elliott

12 Sir Gerhard

Two festival wins; hasn't fulfilled star potential, but interesting contender nevertheless

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
SP forecast: 7-1

Sir Gerhard15:30 Cheltenham

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Jky: Paul Townend Tnr: W P Mullins

13 Teahupoo

Close third 12 months ago and this seven-year-old could be a stronger sort this time around

Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Jack Kennedy
SP forecast: 7-4

Teahupoo15:30 Cheltenham

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Jky: Jack Kennedy Tnr: Gordon Elliott

The verdict

The Cheltenham Festival brings out the best in SIRE DU BERLAIS and he is taken to win this race for the second year running.

Sire Du Berlais15:30 Cheltenham

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Jky: Mark Walsh Tnr: Gordon Elliott

Read these next:

Confirmed runners and riders for the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and Thursday's other Grade 1 races 

2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup: confirmed runners and riders for Friday's big race 

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