Teahupoo bids to round off a perfect season when facing 10 rivals in the Grade 1 Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown on Thursday.
Gordon Elliott’s stable star is two from two for the campaign after victories in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle and Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
The seven-year-old has already seen off a number of adversaries including Home By The Lee, Buddy One and Sire Du Berlais, who were third, fourth and fifth respectively at Cheltenham in March.
Perhaps Teahupoo’s stiffest challenge could come from a couple of veterans in the form of Asterion Forlonge, the pick of Paul Townend, and Monkfish, who was once touted as the next big thing before injuries limited his impact.
While the lightly-raced Lantry Lady is the wildcard in the pack and receives the 7lbs mares’ allowance, which could come in handy if she has taken a step forward.
The latest Champion Stayers Hurdle odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Champion Stayers Hurdle verdict
Timeform: TEAHUPOO had a few of these in behind him in the Stayers’ at Cheltenham last month and can underline he’s the class act in this division at present by following up here. Cheltenham third Home By The Lee might be the one to chase him home ahead of the selection’s stablemate Sire du Berlais, who was third in this 12 months 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
Champion Stayers Hurdle runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Champion Stayers Hurdle 2024.
Asterion Forlonge
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Very smart hurdler/chaser at his best. Won 2-runner Imperial Call Chase at Cork (24f, heavy) 32 days ago by 14 lengths from Lucid Dreams. Creditable 11¾ lengths sixth of 12 to Teahupoo in Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham prior to that.
***
Buddy One
Trainer: Paul John Gilligan Jockey: Jack G. Gilligan Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Smart hurdler. Latest win in hurdle at Cheltenham in November. Creditable 4¼ lengths second of 10 to Strong Leader in Liverpool Hurdle (15/2) at Aintree (24.7f, good to soft) 19 days ago.
****
Franciscan Rock
Trainer: M. F. Morris Jockey: R. A. Doyle Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Useful hurdler. Creditable fifth of 21 in handicap hurdle (50/1) at Cheltenham (21f, heavy) 50 days ago. Difficult ask.
*
Home By The Lee
Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien Jockey: J. J. Slevin Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Very smart hurdler. Eight wins from 25 NH runs. 16/1 and blinkered for 1st time, good 6 lengths third of 12 to Teahupoo in Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (24f, soft) 49 days ago, rallying.
****
Monkfish
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Mr P. W. Mullins Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Very smart hurdler/chaser. Won a Grade 2 hurdle at Gowran on reappearance. Pulled up in Cheltenham Gold Cup next time but respectable 17¾ lengths fourth of 10 to Strong Leader in Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree (24.7f, good to soft, 8/1) since.
***
No Looking Back
Trainer: Oliver McKiernan Jockey: Phillip Enright Age: 6 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Useful hurdler. 17½ lengths third of 5 to Facile Vega in Champion Novices’ Hurdle at this course (16.4f, good to soft, 66/1). Off 12 months. Hooded for 1st time, tongue strap on for 1st time. Hard ask.
*
Sire Du Berlais
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 12 Weight: 11st 10lbs
High-class hurdler. 14/1, respectable 10¾ lengths fifth of 12 to Teahupoo in Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (24f, soft) 49 days ago, finishing well. Third in this last year and each-way claims again.
****
Summerville Boy
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: D. J. O’Keeffe Age: 12 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Useful hurdler. 8/13, creditable second of 5 in minor event hurdle at Thurles (22.9f, heavy) 47 days ago, just failing. Stiff task in this company.
**
Teahupoo
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
High-class hurdler who made it back-to-back wins in the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on his reappearance in December and followed up in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham 3 months later. Hard to beat.
*****
Lantry Lady
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 6 Weight: 11st 3lbs
From family of Annie Power and has made a very promising start to her career, winning twice at Gowran (Grade 2 latterly) before acquitting herself really well on only third start when 12½ lengths fourth of 11 to Lossiemouth in Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (2½m, heavy) 51 days ago. 3m should suit.
***
Whatcouldhavebeen
Trainer: Jarlath P. Fahey Jockey: A. P. Kelly Age: 6 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Useful hurdler. 14/1 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, career best when winning 8-runner handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (22.2f, heavy) 31 days ago, responding well. Another chunk of improvement will be needed to get heavily involved here.
**
Today’s Punchestown Tips
- Our pundit-packed cheat sheet for Thursday at Punchestown
- Punchestown tips today from Rory Delargy
- Mick Fitzgerald’s Punchestown tips for Thursday
- Ruby Walsh’s Punchestown tips for today
Read More on the Punchestown Festival
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
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- Punchestown Festival Free Live Stream: Watch every race with Paddy Power
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