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2025-03-13 Cheltenham 16:00
Cheltenham

Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Going: Good To Soft

Distance: 2m7f213y

Prize: £182,878

Runners: 13

Surface: Turf

Age: 4yo+

Class: Class 1

Type: Hurdle

NO.

HORSE

FORM

AGE

ODDS

Bob Olinger (IRE) G C

J:Rachael Blackmore T:Henry De Bromhead

Form: 122-22

Age: 10

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 158

1.23

Additional info

Owner: Robcour

Breeder: Kenneth Parkhill

Last run: 75 days

Pedigree

Sire: Sholokhov (IRE)

Dam: Zenaide (IRE)

Damsire: Zaffaran (USA)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 40 Wins: 4 Percent: 10

Comment: 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.

The Wallpark (IRE) G C D

J:Mark Walsh T:Gordon Elliott

Form: 911114

Age: 7

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 152

8.2

Additional info

Owner: John P McManus

Breeder: Oldcourt Stud

Last run: 82 days

Pedigree

Sire: Ask (GB)

Dam: Alderimli (IRE)

Damsire: Alderbrook (GB)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 79 Wins: 7 Percent: 9

Comment: 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.

Mystical Power h (IRE) G

J:Paul Townend T:W P Mullins

Form: 21-166

Age: 6

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 154

12.5

Additional info

Owner: Mrs S Ricci & John P McManus & Mrs John Magnier

Breeder: Annie Power Partnership

Last run: 74 days

Pedigree

Sire: Galileo (IRE)

Dam: Annie Power (IRE)

Damsire: Shirocco (GER)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 76 Wins: 12 Percent: 16

Comment: 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.

Lucky Place (FR) G C

J:Nico de Boinville T:Nicky Henderson

Form: 224-11

Age: 6

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 153

14.49

Additional info

Owner: Mrs G Van Geest & M George

Breeder: E Aubree & Mrs J Goffin Van Aken

Last run: 71 days

Pedigree

Sire: Pastorius (GER)

Dam: Luckystar Du Frene (FR)

Damsire: Perrault (GB)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 26 Wins: 3 Percent: 12

Comment: 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.

Nemean Lion (GER) G

J:Richard Patrick T:Kerry Lee

Form: 7-2111

Age: 8

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 151

15.5

Additional info

Owner: Will Roseff

Breeder: Dr Chr Berglar

Last run: 18 days

Pedigree

Sire: Golden Horn (GB)

Dam: Ninfea (GER)

Damsire: Selkirk (USA)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 2 Wins: 0 Percent: 0

Comment: 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.

Buddy One t (IRE) G C D

J:Jack G Gilligan T:Paul John Gilligan

Form: 41343P

Age: 8

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 153

28.01

Additional info

Owner: E Lynch & T C Quinn & John J McGrath

Breeder: Martin Cullinane

Last run: 49 days

Pedigree

Sire: Sans Frontieres (IRE)

Dam: May's Magic (IRE)

Damsire: Bob's Return (IRE)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 1 Wins: 0 Percent: 0

Comment: Beaten about 8l 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.

Teahupoo (FR) G CD

J:Jack Kennedy T:Gordon Elliott

Form: /11-12

Age: 8

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 164

32.05

Additional info

Owner: Robcour

Breeder: S C E A Haras Du Hoguenet Et Al

Last run: 102 days

Pedigree

Sire: Masked Marvel (GB)

Dam: Droit D'Aimer (FR)

Damsire: Sassanian (USA)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 79 Wins: 7 Percent: 9

Comment: 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.

Crambo t (GB) G D

J:Jonathan Burke T:Fergal O'Brien

Form: 198-15

Age: 8

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 156

38.02

Additional info

Owner: Sullivan Bloodstock Ltd & Chris Giles

Breeder: Sullivan Bloodstock Ltd

Last run: 47 days

Pedigree

Sire: Saddler Maker (IRE)

Dam: Cardline (FR)

Damsire: Martaline (GB)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 33 Wins: 2 Percent: 6

Comment: 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 C&D in January.

Rocky's Diamond (IRE) G D

J:Shane Fitzgerald T:Declan Queally

Form: 1-5131

Age: 5

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 151

46.08

Additional info

Owner: Mrs Margaret C Kiely

Breeder: Patrick Cahalan

Last run: 49 days

Pedigree

Sire: Altruistic (IRE)

Dam: Long Walk Home (IRE)

Damsire: Presenting (GB)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 13 Wins: 1 Percent: 8

Comment: 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 5yo has more to offer but a sizeable step forward is needed in today's company.

Franciscan Rock tp (IRE) G D

J:Gavin Brouder T:M F Morris

Form: 636113

Age: 8

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 147

54.95

Additional info

Owner: Michael O'Flynn & John F O'Flynn

Breeder: Frank Motherway

Last run: 49 days

Pedigree

Sire: Fame And Glory (GB)

Dam: Mrs Dempsey (IRE)

Damsire: Presenting (GB)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 5 Wins: 0 Percent: 0

Comment: 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 today.

Gowel Road (IRE) G CD

J:Sam Twiston-Davies T:Nigel Twiston-Davies

Form: -22221

Age: 9

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 148

64.94

Additional info

Owner: Options O Syndicate

Breeder: Cyril O'Hara

Last run: 47 days

Pedigree

Sire: Flemensfirth (USA)

Dam: Hollygrove Samba (IRE)

Damsire: Accordion (IRE)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 30 Wins: 1 Percent: 3

Comment: 9yo 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.

Ga Law p (FR) G C

J:Gavin Sheehan T:Jamie Snowden

Form: 2-2295

Age: 9

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 142

90.09

Additional info

Owner: The Footie Partnership

Breeder: Jean-Francois Magnien

Last run: 33 days

Pedigree

Sire: Sinndar (IRE)

Dam: Law (FR)

Damsire: Lute Antique (FR)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 14 Wins: 6 Percent: 43

Comment: 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.

Home By The Lee b (IRE) G D

J:J J Slevin T:Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Form: 3-3611

Age: 10

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 161

129.87

Additional info

Owner: Sean O'Driscoll

Breeder: Sean O'Driscoll

Last run: 75 days

Pedigree

Sire: Fame And Glory (GB)

Dam: Going For Home (IRE)

Damsire: Presenting (GB)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 22 Wins: 3 Percent: 14

Comment: 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.

Langer Dan (IRE) G C

J:Harry Skelton T:Dan Skelton

Form: 32-355

Age: 9

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 158

11.0

Additional info

Owner: Colm Donlon

Breeder: Hugh O'Connor

Last run: 55 days

Pedigree

Sire: Ocovango (GB)

Dam: What A Fashion (IRE)

Damsire: Milan (GB)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 55 Wins: 4 Percent: 7

Comment: Soundly beaten on all three starts this season but tends to come alive at the Cheltenham Festival and he made it back-to-back wins in the Coral Cup Handicap here last March (2m5f, soft); very close third in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle (2m4f, soft) next time; stayed on well for second in Sandown Grade 2 (extended 2m5f, good) last April and the return to 3m could be right up his street if he stages his usual March renaissance; intriguing contender.

Monmiral tb (FR) G CD

J:NON-RUNNER T:Paul Nicholls

Form: 15-322

Age: 8

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 149

48.08

Additional info

Owner: Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & L Hales

Breeder: S A R L Carion Emm

Last run: 47 days

Pedigree

Sire: Saint Des Saints (FR)

Dam: Achere (FR)

Damsire: Mont Basile (FR)

Trainer last 14 days

Runs: 24 Wins: 5 Percent: 21

Comment: Won the Pertemps Final Handicap over C&D last March and he's been a creditable second in Grade 2s the last twice, most recently over C&D when conceding 4lb to the winner Gowel Road; however, he looks up against it today.