Teahupoo is set to face 13 rivals in his bid to land successive renewals of the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday.
Gordon Elliott’s runner has followed the same programme as last year by taking a lengthy break after tackling the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle in December, although he failed to land the Fairyhouse Grade 1 this time.
Home By The Lee finished sixth, fifth and third in his previous attempts at the race and arrives on a hat-trick after a facile victory in the Grade 1 Savills Hurdle at Leopardstown last time out.
The staying scene has plenty of fresh blood and fellow hat-trick seeker Lucky Place, last year’s Supreme second Mystical Power, Grade 2 winner Rocky’s Diamond and the JP McManus-owned The Wallpark take their chance.
Gowel Road has been in fantastic form at Cheltenham this term and won the Cleeve Hurdle last time out… can he get involved?
The latest Paddy Power 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.
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Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle 2025 verdict
Timeform: Previous winners have an excellent record in this and last year’s decisive victor TEAHUPOO looks the one to beat again having followed the same route (kept fresh for this). Home By The Lee was a good third last year and arrives in better form this time around, so rates the main threat. Lucky Place and The Wallpark are also respected given their rate of progress.
*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
Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle 2025 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle 2025.
Bob Olinger
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Most kept to hurdles since winning the Turners here 3 years ago, picking up a couple of Grade 2s last season, including here (20f). Runner-up both starts this term, though shaped as if this trip is a bit of a stretch for him when 6 lengths behind Home By The Lee in Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.
***
Buddy One
Trainer: Paul John Gilligan Jockey: Jack G. Gilligan Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Surpassed expectations when fourth in this last year and backed that up when second in Liverpool Hurdle. Struggled to match that form sent chasing this term and well held back hurdling latest (reportedly made a respiratory noise). Tongue strap re-fitted now but will do well to make the frame again.
*
Crambo
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien Jockey: Jonathan Burke Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Made up into a smart hurdler last term, notably landing the Long Walk at Ascot. Disappointed in Grade 1s after (including this race) but back on track when again taking the Long Walk on his seasonal return. Failed to recover from a bad mistake in Cleeve Hurdle here since. Others stronger.
**
Franciscan Rock
Trainer: M. F. Morris Jockey: Gavin Peter Brouder Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Useful hurdler who was fifth in the Coral Cup here last season. In good heart this season, winning twice, but limitations once again exposed when third to Rocky’s Diamond in Grade 2 at Gowran.
*
Ga Law
Trainer: Jamie Snowden Jockey: Gavin Sheehan Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Known as a smart chaser but arrives on the back of 2 lacklustre efforts in that sphere. Thrown into the deep end making a rare start over hurdles and easy to look elsewhere.
*
Gowel Road
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
A regular around here and finally gained reward for his consistency when making all in the Cleeve Hurdle over C&D 7 weeks ago. Should run his race again but that would still leave him well short of what will be required.
**
Home By The Lee
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien Jockey: J. J. Slevin Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Running in this for the third time, his best effort coming when third last year. Has looked as good as ever this season, winning a Grade 2 at Navan on comeback before following up in Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas. Can make his presence felt once more.
****
Langer Dan
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Non Runner Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Non Runner
Lucky Place
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nico de Boinville Age: 6 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Signed off last term with an excellent fourth of 21 to Langer Dan in the Coral Cup here and has continued on the upgrade this season, winning Grade 2s at Ascot and Relkeel Hurdle here (20f). Likely to stay so must be respected given his rate of progress.
****
Monmiral
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Non Runner Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Non Runner
Mystical Power
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 6 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Smart novice hurdler last season, runner-up in the Supreme here before going one better in Grade 1s at Aintree and Punchestown. However, most disappointing both starts this term and now has a bit to prove up markedly in trip.
**
Nemean Lion
Trainer: Kerry Lee Jockey: Richard Patrick Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Likeable sort who appreciated the drop in class when winning at Hereford (handicap) and Windsor (class 2 conditions race) this winter. Gamely completed hat-trick in Grade 2 at Fontwell 18 days ago but struggled at this level last season. Also has stamina to prove.
**
Rocky’s Diamond
Trainer: Declan Queally Jockey: Shane Fitzgerald Age: 5 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Lightly-raced winner over hurdles who proved there was absolutely no fluke about his Christmas Hurdle effort (third behind Home By The Lee) when winning Grade 2 at Gowran 7 weeks ago. Still not the finished article but suspicion is this sort of challenge is a year too soon for him.
***
Teahupoo
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
High-class hurdler who landed this race in decisive fashion 12 months ago. Followed up with a fourth Grade 1 in Champion Stayers at Punchestown in May and lost little in defeat when second in Hatton’s Grace on return. Likely to prove a tough nut to crack again (goes especially well fresh).
*****
The Wallpark
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Progressive Irish hurdler who completed his 4-timer in 12-runner C&D handicap in October, Better form stepped up in class when fourth in the Long Walk at Ascot since, the slow early fractions counting against him. Still has more to offer so not taken lightly.
***
Cheltenham Festival Day 3 Tips
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- Paddy’s Ultimate Cheltenham Cheat Sheet for day 3 of the 2025 Festival
- ITV Racing pundit Matt Chapman’s Cheltenham Tips for Thursday
- Ruby Walsh’s Cheltenham Tips for day 3 of the meeting
Read More on the Cheltenham Festival
- Cheltenham Festival race times and schedule for 2025 meeting
- The Ultimate Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide
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