Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle tips and runner-by-runner guide to Cheltenham 3.30 on Thursday

Can Flooring Porter bring up the hat-trick?

Flooring Porter wins the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle

By / Cheltenham Festival, Horse Racing Tips / 2 years ago

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Flooring Porter faces 10 rivals in his bid to win the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle for the third year in a row.

Gavin Cromwell’s stable star has had a challenging build up to the feature race on Thursday at the Cheltenham Festival and his principal rivals appear to be Blazing Khal, who has also had a tricky preparation, and hat-trick seeker Teahupoo.

2019 Stayers’ Hurdle hero Paisley Park will attempt to regain his crown while Gold Tweet, Home By The Lee and Klassical Dream are also prominent players in our betting. Ashdale Bob, Dashel Drasher, Henri Le Farceur and Sire Du Berlais complete the field for the 15:30.

Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle odds can be found on the Paddy Power website, Paddy Power app or via our snazzy betting widgets, otherwise Timeform’s horse-by-horse guide to the runners and betting tips from the racing boffins are below.

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Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle tips

Timeform: An open renewal but TEAHUPOO has taken his form to another level this season, holding off Klassical Dream in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse before easily defying a penalty in a Grade 2 at Gowran over this trip, so Gordon Elliott’s 6-y-o could be the answer. Flooring Porter hasn’t had the ideal preparation but must be respected as he bids for a third straight win in this, while French-raider Gold Tweet shouldn’t be underestimated given the manner of his win in the Cleeve Hurdle over C&D.

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Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle runners

Ashdale Bob

Trainer: Mrs J. Harrington Jockey: Keith Donoghue Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Smart hurdler who was a gallant third under top weight in the Coral Cup at last year’s Festival and bounced back to his best when 3 lengths second to Home By The Lee in Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown (24f, soft) 78 days ago. However, unlikely he’ll be ending his losing run in this.

***

Blazing Khal

Trainer: Charles Byrnes Jockey: P. Byrnes Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Took very well to hurdling last season, winning all 3 of his starts, notably a couple of Grade 2s at this track, and picked up where he left off after an absence (14 months) when defying a penalty in Boyne Hurdle at Navan (21f) 32 days ago. More needed here but has the most potential in the field.

****

Dashel Drasher

Trainer: Jeremy Scott Jockey: Rex Dingle Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Tough and likeable sort who resumed with a 2½m win over hurdles at Aintree in November. Runner-up in Relkeel Hurdle and Cleeve Hurdle here last 2 starts but proved a sitting duck for Gold Tweet in latter event and likely to be found wanting again.

**

Flooring Porter

Trainer: Gavin Patrick Cromwell Jockey: D. E. Mullins Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs

All-the-way winner of this race for the last 2 years. Excuses both starts this term, shaping as if needing run at Navan on return before not making it enough of a test when fourth in Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown. Big run expected now.

****

Gold Tweet

Trainer: Gabriel Leenders Jockey: Johnny Charron Age: 6 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Useful performer in France but took form to another level (smart) when impressive winner of the Cleeve Hurdle over this C&D 47 days ago, clearly well served by the extra distance. Up against the Irish now but remains unexposed at 3m so not to be underestimated.

****

Henri Le Farceur

Trainer: Hugo Merienne Jockey: Felix de Giles Age: 6 Weight: 11st 10lbs

French hurdler who arrives on the back of a career-best win in 5-runner Group 2 Prix Leon Olry Roederer at Auteuil (21.4f, heavy, 48/10) in December. However, well held both starts at this sort of trip (in Group 1s) so easy enough to look elsewhere.

**

Home By The Lee

Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: J. J. Slevin Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Seemed to excel himself when sixth in this last year but has kicked on again this season, winning Grade 2 at Navan before making the breakthrough at this level in Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown, finding extra to beat Ashdale Bob by 3 lengths. Must be respected.

****

Klassical Dream

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs

High-class hurdler who won a second-successive Champion Stayers’ Hurdle at Punchestown and failed only narrowly in bid for a seventh Grade 1 victory when neck second to Teahupoo in Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse after 7 months off. Not seen to best effect when fifth in this last year. Player.

****

Paisley Park

Trainer: Emma Lavelle Jockey: Aidan Coleman Age: 11 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Unbeatable in 2018/19, completing the 5-timer in this race. Not quite at that level since but still picked up 2 Grade 1s and 3 Grade 2s, including his second Long Walk on Boxing Day. Respectable third under a penalty in Cleeve Hurdle next time and could run into the frame (third last 2 renewals).

***

Sire Du Berlais

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 11 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Excellent record at this meeting, winning 2 Pertemps Finals and also second to Flooring Porter in this 2 years ago. Ended last season with Grade 1 win at Aintree but signs of decline this campaign.

*

Teahupoo

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Davy Russell Age: 6 Weight: 11st 10lbs

High-class hurdler who posted a career best when winning Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse (19.6f, heavy) in December by neck from Klassical Dream. Defied a 9 lb penalty with flying colours in Grade 2 at Gowran (24.4f) next time, the longer trip no issue. Bold bid expected.

*****

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