2 minutes All key Stayers Hurdle contenders from last year are returning in 2024, along with two other regulars from the 2023 race. Yet, Teahupoo’s preparation stands out, focusing solely on this challenge with just one race this season
Gordon Elliott's top contender, Teahupoo, was the favoured pick in last year’s Stayers Hurdle but was unexpectedly outperformed by his longshot stablemate, Sire Du Berlais, at 33-1.
Davy Russell, known as much for his dancing as his equestrian mastery, is eager for another opportunity to ride Teahupoo in this event.
Their effort in the previous race was marked by an unusual zigzagging in the final stretch. Teahupoo veered left then right, seeming like the probable victor for a significant part, until Sire Du Berlais clinched the win in the last 100 meters.
The small solace for Teahupoo's team, elevated to second place due to interference by Dashel Dasher at the last hurdle, was short-lived. The latter’s team successfully challenged their penalty a month later, a decision that Brian Acheson, Teahupoo's owner, criticised as "absolute rubbish."
All key Stayers Hurdle contenders from last year are returning in 2024, along with two other regulars from the 2023 race. Yet, Teahupoo’s preparation stands out, focusing solely on this challenge with just one race this season, a repeat win at the Hatton’s Grace in Fairyhouse last December—aiming for redemption in the Stayers’ Hurdle.
Although Teahupoo’s recent win over Impaire Et Passe has lost some of its luster, the decision to skip the January mud at Gowan means freshness won’t be an issue.
Jack Kennedy will be at the reins, while Mark Walsh hopes for a seasonal resurgence for Sire Du Berlais. The 12-year-old, along with 2019 champion Paisley Park, adds depth to the field.
Gavin Cromwell’s strategy to enter two-time winner Flooring Porter in this race, instead of the National Hunt Chase, appears wise, especially after Corbetts Cross's standout performance. Noble Yeats, the 2022 Grand National winner, also brings intrigue, confirming his hurdling prowess here in January, partnered with Harry Cobden. With six Stayers’ Hurdle champions in the last decade having double-digit odds, including a 50-1 shocker by Lisnagar Oscar in 2020, and only two favourites winning, the diverse 12-horse field is ripe for another surprise.
Bet on the Stayers’ Hurdle with Nags Bet
If you are looking to place a bet on the Stayers’ Hurdle or any other race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival, joining Nags Bet is a wise move. With competitive odds, free betting tips and a welcome free bet, Nags Bet has it all!
----
