2025 Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival: the runners, the odds, the verdict
Who can go the distance? The Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (4.00) is, along with the preceding Ryanair Chase, one of the highlights on day three of the Cheltenham Festival. It is a wide-open race over 3m and an intriguing one at that. Read on for our runner-by-runner guide . . .
1 Bob Olinger
3-3 at Cheltenham including twice at the Festival (albeit fortuitously in 2022); went very close in Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle (2m4f, soft) last April and he's been a respectable second to Home By The Lee on his two starts this season (2m4f/extended 2m7f, yielding); needs something extra today but the return to Cheltenham could be a plus; not ruled out each-way.
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
SP forecast: 20-1
2 Buddy One
Beaten about eight lengths when fourth in this last year and further respectable efforts in Grade 1s the next twice; however, he hasn't hit the same heights over fences this term and pulled up back over hurdles latest; tongue-tie goes back on for first time since September 2023; others preferred.
Trainer: Paul John Gilligan
Jockey: Jack Gilligan
SP forecast: 40-1
3 Crambo
Made it back-to-back wins in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle (3m, good/good to soft) when scoring at Ascot in December; each-way claims on his best form but yet to shine at Cheltenham, having finished ninth in this last year and been soundly beaten (bad mistake) in the Cleeve Hurdle over course and distance in January.
Trainer: Fergal O'Brien
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
SP forecast: 33-1
4 Franciscan Rock
Fifth in last year's Coral Cup here (2m5f, soft) and won Punchestown handicap (3m, soft) in November before following up in a conditions hurdle at Clonmel (3m, yielding); good third to Rocky's Diamond in Grade 2 at Gowran Park (3m, soft to heavy) last time but he'd be a surprise winner.
Trainer: Mouse Morris
Jockey: Gavin Brouder
SP forecast: 50-1
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5 Ga Law
1-3 over hurdles, the win in France in 2019; has done very well in valuable handicap chases here at about 2m4f and he was running well when a final-fence faller over 3m at Doncaster in January 2023; however, there's still a stamina doubt today and also a question mark regarding the return to hurdles.
Trainer: Jamie Snowden
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
SP forecast: 40-1
6 Gowel Road
Nine-year-old front-runner who has been better than ever and admirably consistent here this term (on ground ranging from good through to soft), going close behind Lucky Place in the 2m4f Relkeel Hurdle before winning Grade 2 Cleeve over today's C&D; however, he has something to find in this company.
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
SP forecast: 20-1
7 Home By The Lee
Creditable efforts when fifth in this in 2023 (soft) and 6l third 12 months ago (soft); won by 6l in the Savills Hurdle at Leopardstown (extended 2m7f, yielding) in December, having also landed that Grade 1 in 2022; it seems likely this 10yo will again find one or more too strong now he's having another tilt at the Stayers' Hurdle, but he can give another good account.
Trainer: Joseph Patrick O'Brien
Jockey: JJ Slevin
SP forecast: 6-1
9 Lucky Place
Stayed on well for fourth in last March's Coral Cup Handicap here (2m5f, soft) and has continued to progress this season with Grade 2 wins at Ascot (extended 2m3f, good) and here (extended 2m4f, soft); he was conceding 6lb to runner-up Gowel Road last time and that rival went one better in a Grade 2 here subsequently; this lightly raced 6yo is open to further improvement for his top yard now tackling a staying trip for the first time; respected.
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Nico de Boinville
SP forecast: 7-1
11 Mystical Power
Second in last year's Supreme Novices' (2m) before 2m Grade 1 wins at Aintree and Punchestown; while he takes a big step up in trip today, his dam Annie Power was second in this race and last term's promise isn't forgotten; however, he's been extremely lacklustre in 2m Grade 1s the last twice.
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
SP forecast: 14-1
12 Nemean Lion
Completed a hat-trick (2m3f/2m4f, good to soft/soft) when getting up close home in Grade 2 National Spirit at Fontwell last month; goes up in trip and back up in grade today, with something to find, but he stayed well on the Flat early in his career and has shaped this season as though today's extra distance could prompt further improvement; clearly thriving; interesting.
Trainer: Kerry Lee
Jockey: Richard Patrick
SP forecast: 25-1
13 Rocky's Diamond
66-1 third behind Home By The Lee and Bob Olinger in Grade 1 Savills Hurdle at Leopardstown (2m7f, yielding) in December and won the Grade 2 Galmoy at Gowran Park (3m, soft to heavy) in January to make it three wins from his six starts; good chance this very lightly raced five-year-old has more to offer but a sizeable step forward is needed in today's company.
Trainer: Declan Queally
Jockey: Shane Fitzgerald
SP forecast: 16-1
14 Teahupoo
Close third in this in 2023 and won it 12 months ago (soft) before following up in Grade 1 at Punchestown (2m7f, yielding), again with something to spare; just one run since but that was a fair second to Lossiemouth over an inadequate 2m4f at Fairyhouse in December, and he had the identical preparation route last season; will be tough to beat if reproducing last March's form.
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Jack Kennedy
SP forecast: 5-4
15 The Wallpark
Completed a four-timer (good-yielding) when storming up the hill in 3m handicap on the Old course here in October; stayed on well for fourth in Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December when the steady early pace counted against him; could improve on that latest form now he's back here, particularly if he gets a stronger gallop; one to consider.
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Mark Walsh
SP forecast: 7-1
The verdict
Last year's winner Teahupoo has had the identical preparation path as 12 months ago and will be tough to beat if at the top of his game. However, he's a short price for a horse who has run just once since last May and there are interesting alternatives who are contesting their first Stayers' Hurdle. LANGER DAN has an excellent record at the Cheltenham Festival and there's a suspicion he has untapped potential over a staying trip, so he earns the vote ahead of Lucky Place, who has thrived this season and could have even more to offer tackling 3m for the first time. The Wallpark wasn't seen to best effect in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December and may yet make his mark at this level.
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