Brassil confident he has strong contender for Stayers' Hurdle

Martin Brassil believes the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle lacks depth behind odds-on favourite Paisley Park, and is convinced City Island will see out the three-mile trip.

City Island was the conqueror of Champ in last year's Ballymore, but he has not won since and the Stayers' Hurdle is a change in direction following two tame efforts over fences this season.

Although City Island is yet to race beyond 2m5f, he is no bigger than 14-1 for the Stayers' Hurdle and as short as 10-1 with the sponsors who make defending champion Paisley Park their 4-6 favourite.

City Island (Mark Walsh, right) jumps the last from Champ on his way to winning the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at CheltenhamCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Brassil said: "I'm very happy with City Island at the moment. He seems perfectly fine and we're going to have a go at the Stayers' Hurdle. If you take Paisley Park out of it, it looks a very open race this year and we're going to take our chance. I'm confident he will stay three miles. That'll be no problem.

"He's always kept his best for the track, but he looks as though he retains all of his old ability at home to me anyway. The plan is for Mark Walsh to ride him."

Watch City Island fend off Champ in the Ballymore

City Island will not be Brassil's only runner at the festival. Longhouse Poet will most likely take up an engagement in the Ballymore, rather than the Albert Bartlett, while You Raised Me Up is on course for a crack at the Coral Cup.

The trainer added: "You Raised Me Up is a nice horse and the Coral Cup is the plan. He went up 4lb for finishing third in the Ladbrokes Hurdle at Leopardstown and hopefully he will be high enough in the weights to get into the Coral Cup.

"Our other runner will be Longhouse Poet and if the ground is on the soft side I'd imagine he will run in the Ballymore. I was very happy with the way he ran at Leopardstown and he is progressing nicely."

You might also be interested in:

2020 Cheltenham Festival preview nights: full list and all the key details

Read exclusive previews from 6pm daily on racingpost.com