Where does the Stayers' Hurdle value lie away from Paisley Park?

With reigning champion Paisley Park a short-priced favourite to land the Stayers' Hurdle again, our experts assess where value can be found away from the Emma Lavelle-trained superstar.

'He has arguably never been better'

Sky Bet and bet365's 66-1 about Tobefair appeals given he was six and three-quarter lengths off Paisley Park in the Cleeve Hurdle in January – finishing a similar distance behind Emma Lavelle's powerhouse could easily put him in the frame.

Nine from 21 since joining Debra Hamer, he has Cheltenham form of 021134 and copes with any ground, while he has arguably never been better.
James Burn, Lambourn correspondent

'You could do far worse than back last year's Ballymore winner'

There is plenty of value for each-way thieves in the Stayers' Hurdle with Paisley Park dominating the market.

Summerville Boy is the obvious one given he was not beaten far into second by Paisley Park last time at this track, but he was allowed a soft lead that day and I'm not convinced he will be strong enough up the hill if they go harder early.

Mark Walsh celebrates after guiding City Island to victory in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle last yearCredit: Getty Images

There are experience and jumping concerns about Emitom, while Apple's Jade has not been anywhere near as good this year, so you could do far worse than back last year's Ballymore winner City Island each-way at around 12-1.

He steps up in trip but stayed on well up the hill over 2m5f last year, has had a wind operation since he last ran and reverts back to hurdles after a failed start to his chase career. Expect big improvement on recent outings.
Tom Collins, tipster

'He is again overpriced at 66-1 on his overall Cheltenham record'

There is one runner who has already picked up the pieces in a festival race and he can again, albeit at a higher level.

Last year Tobefair nearly defied his 40-1 price in the Pertemps Network Final, rattling home to be beaten a neck by Sire Du Berlais.

He is again overpriced at 66-1 on his overall Cheltenham record and will be even more so if the ground continues to dry out in his favour.

He was far from disgraced behind Paisley Park in the Cleeve in January and has similarly been put away for this rematch.
Bruce Jackson, reporter

'The Cleeve looks the key piece of form'

It would be a major shock if the Paisley Park juggernaut did not roll on and in pretty emphatic fashion.

The Cleeve looks the key piece of form and Summerville Boy looks a rock-solid candidate to follow him home. He served it up to the hot favourite for a long way and I was also impressed with Lisnagar Oscar, who defied odds of 50-1 to finish a fine third. He was a high-class novice last season whose best days look ahead of him as a staying hurdler.

If a firm offers it, I would seek an each-way bet on Lisnagar Oscar without Paisley Park and Summerville Boy at a probable decent price.
Robbie Wilders, tipster

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