Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle |
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| Grade 1, Cheltenham 16:00 £325,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 7f 213y, Class 1  |
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The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdlerace wal feels particularly rich in plotlines. At its head stand the Robcour standard-bearers, Bob Olinger and Teahupoo, first and second in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas and set to renew rivalry on the grand stage.
Teahupoo is exceptional at Leopardstown! 😍
— BETDAQ (@BETDAQ) December 28, 2025
pic.twitter.com/KWrfuP4SDA
Owner Brian Acheson seeks a third consecutive triumph in the race, his familiar colours now synonymous with dominance in the staying division. As Robcour representative Robbie Power put it: “Bob Olinger and Teahupoo are both absolutely great and will head straight to the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
“As good as Teahupoo was at Christmas, I thought Bob ran an absolute cracker on his first start since winning at the Festival last year. They’ve both come out of that race well and we’re looking forward to going back to Cheltenham with them.
“We’ve got some nice stayers and hopefully one will do the job in March.”
Hiddenvalley Lake may yet strengthen that hand further, with Power adding: “Hiddenvalley Lake will go to the Boyne Hurdle at Navan and he’s in the mix as well and hopefully will join the others at Cheltenham.”
Into this established hierarchy strides Hewick, the €850 purchase turned people’s champion, whose story now bends towards a deeply personal crescendo. From Durham National heroics to King George glory, he has defied logic at every turn, and now returns to hurdles with stamina as his calling card and the Festival as his theatre. John ‘Shark’ Hanlon dares to dream, with son Paddy in the saddle. “I’d love to have a winner at Cheltenham, it’s my dream, and the Gold Cup is looking really tough at the moment and the Stayers’ Hurdle is the ideal route for him.
“It’s the right trip and Paddy can ride him which is a bonus, the two of them get on great and we’re not going to change that bond.
“It’s going to be another special chapter in the story of this horse and to have your son on him will be unreal. My heart will be in my mouth but it’s going to be something great. Paddy is 18 and the horse is 11 so there’s not much between them.
“Paddy has known him near enough all his life and has always looked after him and riding him out and no one knows him better.
“We have Sean who will be leading him up, Paddy riding, it will be the whole family doing their part and Paddy is the biggest part of all this as it will be in his hands once he leaves us in the paddock.
“If we were to pull it off and he was to win in Cheltenham then you could definitely write a book on him, he will have done virtually everything. He ran a cracker in the English Grand National and did nothing wrong but this would be something else.”
Hanlon reports his stable star thriving: “I’m very happy with him and he’s not been since November but the ground has been so bad. I gave him a break after Newbury and he’s come back stronger and I’m very happy with him.
“He ran better than the result suggested at Newbury and the big prayer we’re saying is that the rain stops and the ground dries up for Cheltenham, that would be magnificent.
“We always thought he was good over his hurdles it was just that when he went chasing he turned out so good at it.
“He ran a really good race in the French Champion Hurdle and we had it in the back of our minds then that we should go back for the Stayers’ Hurdle. When he won the American Grand National, that is another race that is basically a hurdle race really.
“He was fast enough for two-and-a-half mile out there in America but the good thing is we know he stays three miles no problem and that is what I think is a big key to him is that he will stay.
“There will probably be plenty of pace in the race and you can either drop him in or have him handy, wherever Paddy feels most comfortable. He will always come off the bridle after two-and-a-half, we saw that in the King George, but we know he will soon be back on it coming home strong.”
And then there is Impose Toi, the improver, who announced himself at the highest level in the Coral Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury. Despite a stop-start gallop and a costly error at the last, he rallied under Nico de Boinville to edge home by half a length, confirming that his rise from handicaps is no mirage. In a division where stamina is currency and resolve non-negotiable, this promises to be a searching examination — established champions, romantic challengers and upwardly mobile contenders converging on three miles of Prestbury Park turf.
Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
£325,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 7f 213y, Class 1
21 remaining entries
Going:
NO. FORM HORSE AGE TRAINER JOCKEY (form as of Feb 24)
1 15-223 Ballyburn 8 11-10 W P Mullins
2 /221-2 Bob Olinger 11 11-10 Henry De Bromhead
3 7-66P4 Buddy One 9 11-10 Paul John Gilligan
4 -23453 Doddiethegreat 10 11-10 Nicky Henderson
5 5/51-4 Flooring Porter 11 11-10 Gavin Cromwell
6 -F117U French Ship 6 11-10 Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
7 037442 Gowel Road 10 11-10 Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
8 196-7P Gwennie May Boy 8 11-10 Olly Murphy
9 8-7145 Hewick 11 11-10 John Joseph Hanlon
10 UP-641 Home By The Lee 11 11-10 Joseph Patrick O'Brien
11 111-23 Honesty Policy 6 11-10 Gordon Elliott
12 -21112 Impose Toi 8 11-10 Nicky Henderson
13 222-11 Kabral Du Mathan 6 11-10 Dan Skelton
14 7-1011 Ma Shantou 7 11-10 Emma Lavelle
15 -F3411Potters Charm 7 11-10 Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
16 22-111 Teahupoo 9 11-10 Gordon Elliott
17 2/111/ Theleme 9 11-10 A Chaille-Chaille & F Pamart
18 12-F25 The Yellow Clay 7 11-10 Gordon Elliott
19 43-121 Feet Of A Dancer 7 11-3 Paul Nolan
20 9-9114 Nurse Susan 9 11-3 Dan Skelton
21 112-11 Wodhooh 6 11-3 Gordon Elliott
STAYERS' HURDLE PAST RESULTS
Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer SP Ran
2024 Teahupoo 7 11-10 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 5/4F 12
2023 Sire Du Berlais 11 11-10 Gordon Elliott Mark Walsh 33/1 11
2022 Flooring Porter 7 11-10 Gavin Cromwell Danny Mullins 4/1 10
2021 Flooring Porter 6 11-10 Gavin Cromwell Danny Mullins 12/1 15
2020 Lisnigar Oscar 7 11-10 Rebecca Curtis Adam Wedge 50/1 15
2019 Paisley Park 7-11-10 Aidan Coleman Emma Lavelle 11/8F 18
2018-WINNER-PENHILL 7-11-10 Owner-Tony Bloom; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-12/1
2ND-Supasundae 8-11-10 Owner-Ann & Alan Potts Limited; Trainer-Jessica Harrington IRE; Jockey-Robbie Power; SP-6/1
3RD-Wholestone 7-11-10 Owner-Simon Munir & Isaac Souede; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Trainer-Aidan Coleman; SP-14/1
15 ran, Time-6m 20.40s; Dist-2, 3 9/4 Fav Sam Spinner (5th)
2017 NICHOLS CANYON 7-11-10 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-10/1
2ND-Lil Rockerfeller 6-11-10 Owner-Davies Smith Govier & Brown; Trainer-Neil King; Jockey-Trevor Whelan; SP-33/1
3RD-Unowhatimeanharry 9-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Harry Fry; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-5/6 Fav
12 ran, Time-5m 49.60s; Dist-3⁄4, 31⁄2
2016 THISTLECRACK 8-11-10 Owner-John & Heather Snook; Trainer-Colin Tizzard; Jockey-Tom Scudamore; SP-Evens Fav
2ND-Alpha Des Obeaux 6-11-10 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Mouse Morris IRE; Jockey-Bryan Cooper; SP-8/1
3RD-Bobs Worth 11-11-10 Owner-The Not Afraid Partnership; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-David Bass; SP-33/1
12 ran, Time-5m 42.60s; Dist-7, 22
2015-COLE HARDEN 6-11-10 Owner-Jill & Robin Eynon; Trainer-Warren Greatrex; Jockey-Gavin Sheehan; SP-14/1
2ND-Saphir Du Rheu 6-11-10 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Sam Twiston-Davies; SP-5/1 Fav
3RD-Zarkandar 8-11-10 Owner-Chris Giles & Potensis Bloodstock Ltd; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-6/1
16 ran, Time-5m 40.70s; Dist-3¼, 3¼
2014-MORE OF THAT 6-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-15/2
2ND-Annie Power 6-11-03 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-11/8 Fav
3RD-At Fishers Cross 7-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Rebecca Curtis; Jockey-A P McCoy; SP-9/1
10 ran, Time-5m 49.50s; Dist-1½, 5
2013-WINNER-SOLWHIT 9-11-10 Owner-Top Of The Hill Syndicate; Trainer-Charles Byrnes IRE; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-17/2
2ND-Celestial Halo 9-11-10 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Daryl Jacob; SP-40/1
3RD-Smad Place 6-11-10 Owner-Mrs Peter Andrews Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Wayne Hutchinson; SP-9/1
13 ran, Time-6m 24.94s; Dist-2½, 3 9/4 Fav Oscar Whisky (PU)
2012-WINNER-BIG BUCK’S 9-11-10 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP- 5/6F
2ND-Voler La Vedette 8-11-03 Owner-Mrs M Brophy; Trainer-Colm Murphy IRE; Jockey-Andrew Lynch; SP-20/1
3RD-Smad Place 5-11-10 Owner-Mrs Peter Andrews; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-20/1
11 ran, Time-5m 44.20s; Dist-1¾, 7
2011-WINNER-BIG BUCK’S 8-11-10 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP- 10/11F
2ND-Grands Crus 6-11-10 Owner-Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds III; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Tom Scudamore; SP-7/2 3RD-Mourad 6-11-10 Owner Teahon Consulting Limited; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-8/1
13 ran, Time-5m 50.80s; Dist-13⁄4, 23⁄4
2010-WINNER-BIG BUCK’S 7-11-10 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nichols; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-5/6 Fav
2ND-Time For Rupert 6-11-10 Owner-Littlecote Racing Partnership; Trainer-Paul Webber; Jockey-Will Kennedy; SP-16/1
3RD-Powerstation 10-11-10 Owner-Fat Frog Syndicate; Trainer-Eamon O’Connell IRE; Jockey-Andrew McNamara; SP-33/1
14 ran, Time-5m 49.40s; Dist-3.25, 11
2009-WINNER-BIG BUCK’S 6-11-10 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-6/1
2ND-Punchestowns 6-11-10 Owner-Judy Wilson; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-100/30
3RD-Powerstation 9-11-10 Owner-Fat Frog Syndicate; Trainer-Eamon O’Connell IRE; Jockey-Andrew McNamara; SP-25/1
14 ran, Time 5m 57.00s; Dist 1.75, 17 10/11 Fav Kasbah Bliss (4th)
2008-WINNER-INGLIS DREVER 9-11-10 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson; Jockey-Denis O’Regan; SP-11/8 Fav
2ND-Kasbah Bliss 6-11-10 Owner-Henri De Pracomtal; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR; Jockey-Christophe Pieux; SP-9/1
3RD-Kazal 7-11-10 Owner- Joseph Comerford; Trainer-Eoin Griffin IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-12/1
17 ran, Time-5m 52.90s; Dist-1, 7
2007-WINNER-INGLIS DREVER 8-11-10 Owner-Andrea & Graham
Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson; Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-5/1
2ND-Mighty Man 7-11-10 Owner-Joss Hanbury; Trainer-Henry Daly; Jockey-Richard
Johnson; SP-100/30
3RD-Blazing Bailey 5-11-10 Owner-Three Line Whip; Trainer-Alan King;
Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-8/1
14 ran, Time-5m 46.50s; Dist-3/4, 4 2/1 Fav Black Jack Ketchum (Fell)
2006-WINNER-MY WAY DE SOLZEN 6-11-10 Owner-B Winfield,
A Longman, J Wright & C Fenton; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert
Thornton; SP-8/1
2ND-Golden Cross 7-11-10 Owner-P Johnson; Trainer-Michael Halford IRE;
Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-5/1
3RD-Mighty Man 6-11-10 Owner-Joss Hanbury; Trainer-Henry Daly; Jockey-Richard
Johnson; SP-4/1 Fav
20 ran, Time-5m 38.40s; Dist-hd, 4
2005-WINNER-INGLIS DREVER 6-11-10 Owner-Andrea & Graham
Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson; Jockey-Graham Lee; SP-5/1
2ND-Baracouda 10-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR;
Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-6/5 Fav
3RD-Rule Supreme 9-11-10 Owner-John Fallon; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE;
Jockey-David Casey; SP-4/1
12 ran, Time-5m 48.40s; Dist-3, 3/4
2004-WINNER-IRIS’S GIFT 7-11-10 Owner-Robert Lester; Trainer-Jonjo
O’Neill; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-9/2
2ND-Baracouda 9-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR;
Jockey-Thierry Doumen; SP-8/11 Fav
3RD-Crystal D’Ainay 5-11-10 Owner-Tony & Jeni Fisher; Trainer-Alan
King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-8/1
10 ran, Time-5m 49.80s; Dist-1½, 13
2003-WINNER-BARACOUDA 8-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Francois Doumen
FR; Jockey-Thierry Doumen; SP-9/4 Jt Fav
2ND-Iris’s Gift 6-11-10 Owner-Robert Lester; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill;
Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-7/1
3RD-Limestone Lad 11-11-10 Owner-James Bowe; Trainer-James Bowe IRE;
Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-9/4 Jt Fav
11 ran, Time-5m 41.25s; Dist- 3/4, 5
2002-WINNER-BARACOUDA 7-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Francois Doumen
FR; Jockey-Thierry Doumen; SP-13/8 Fav
2ND-Bannow Bay 7-11-10 Owner-Linda Shanahan and Sue Magnier; Trainer-Christy
Roche IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-2/1
3RD-It Takes Time 8-11-10 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony
McCoy; SP-12/1
16 ran, Time-6m 01.70s; Dist-nk, 13
2001 Cancelled
2000-WINNER-BACCHANAL 6-11-10 Owner-Lady Lloyd-Webber; Trainer-Nicky
Henderson; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-11/2
2ND-Limestone Lad 8-11-10 Owner-James Bowe; Trainer-James Bowe IRE; Jockey-Shane
McGovern; SP-3/1
3RD-Behrajan 5-11-10 Owner-The Behrajan Partnership; Trainer-Henry Daly;
Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-8/1
10 ran, Time-5m 36.60s; Dist-1, 3 5/2 Fav Lady Rebecca (6th)
1999-WINNER-ANZUM 8-11-10 Owner-The Old Foresters Partnership; Trainer-David
Nicholson; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-40/1
2ND-Le Coudray 5-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien
IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-2/1 Jt-Fav
3RD-Lady Rebecca 7-11-05 Owner-Kinnersley Optimists; Trainer-Venetia
Williams; Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-3/1
12 ran, Time-5m 51.7s; Dist-nk, 2½ 2/1 Jt-Fav Deano’s Beeno
(9th)
1998-WINNER-PRINCEFUL 7-11-10 Owner-Robert Hitchins; Trainer-Jenny Pitman;
Jockey-Rodney Farrant; SP-16/1
2ND-Splendid Thyne 6-11-10 Owner-John Glavanoni; Trainer-Terry Casey;
Jockey-Warren Marston; SP-10/1
3RD-Ocean Hawk 6-11-10; Owner-Matt Archer & Jean Broadhurst; Trainer-Nigel
Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Carl Llewellyn; SP-5/1 9 ran, Time-5m 45.9s; Dist-2,
4 6/4 Fav Paddy’s Return (5th)
1997-WINNER-KARSHI 7-11-10 Owner-Lord Vestey; Trainer-Henrietta Knight;
Jockey-Jamie Osborne; SP-20/12ND-Anzum 6-11-10 Owner-The Old Foresters
Partnership; Trainer-David Nicholson; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-25/1
3RD-Paddy’s Return 5-11-10 Owner-Paddy O’Donnell; Trainer-Ferdy
Murphy; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-20/1
17 ran, Time-5m 43.9s, Dist-2½, 2 9/2 Fav Escartefigue (5th)
1996-WINNER-CYBORGO 6-11-10 Owner-County Stores (Somerset) Ltd; Trainer-Martin
Pipe; Jockey-David Bridgwater; SP-8/1
2ND-Mysilv 6-11-05 Owner-Elite Racing Club; Trainer-Charlie Egerton;
Jockey-Jimmy McCarthy; SP-16/1
3RD-What A Question 8-11-05 Owner-Joy Valentine; Trainer-Mouse Morris
IRE; Jockey-Conor O’Dwyer; SP-33/1
19 ran, Time-5m 47.3s, Dist-3/4, 10 4/1 Fav Derrymoyle (4th)
LADBROKES WORLD HURDLE ROLL OF HONOUR
(Ladbrokes World Hurdle from 2005, bonusprint.com
Stayers’ Hurdle
2004, Bonusprint Stayers’ Hurdle 1991-2003, Waterford Crystal Stayers’ Hurdle
1978-90, Lloyds Bank Hurdle 1972-77)
Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran
1995 Dorans Pride 6-11-10 Shane Broderick Michael Hourigan IRE Tom Doran
11/4F 11
1994 Balasani 8-11-10 Mark Perrett Martin Pipe Mark Smith 9/2JF 14
1993 Shuil Ar Aghaidh7-11-05 Charlie Swan Paddy Kiely IRE Mrs Paddy Kiely
20/1 12
1992 Nomadic Way 7-11-10 Jamie Osborne Barry Hills Robert Sangster 15/2
17
1991 King’s Curate 7-11-10 Mark Perrett Stan Mellor C J Ells 5/2F
15
1990 Trapper John 6-11-10 Charlie Swan Mouse Morris IRE Jill Fanning
15/2 22
1989 Rustle 7-11-10 Michael Bowlby Nicky Henderson Robert Waley-Cohen
4/1 21
1988 Galmoy 9-11-10 Tommy Carmody John Mulhern IRE Miss D Threadwell
2/1F 16
1987 Galmoy 8-11-10 Tommy Carmody John Mulhern IRE Miss D Threadwell
9/2 14
1986 Crimson Embers 11-11-10 Stuart Shilston Fulke Walwyn Sally Smart
12/1 19
1985 Rose Ravine 6-11-05 Ricky Pusey Fulke Walwyn Sally Smart 5/1F 22
1984 Gaye Chance 9-11-10 Sam Morshead Mercy Rimell Mary Curtis 5/1 14
1983 A Kinsman 7-11-12 Geordie Dun John Brockbank Mrs John Brockbank
50/1 21
1982 Crimson Embers 7-11-12 Stuart Shilston Fulke Walwyn Sally Smart
2/1F 11
1981 Derring Rose 6-11-12 John Francome Fred Winter Peter Savill 3/1
14
1980 Mountrivers 6-11-12 Tommy Ryan Edward O’Grady IRE B Burser
7/1 19
1979 Lighter 6-11-12 Philip Blacker John Edwards G Smith 14/1 14
1978 Flame Gun 6-11-12 Mr Niall Madden Edward O’Grady IRE Mary
Kenny 14/1 13
1977 Town Ship 6-11-12 Tommy Carberry Peter Easterby Pat Muldoon 5/2
11
1976 Bit Of A Jig 8-11-12 Dessie Hughes Mick O’Toole IRE Mrs Mick
O’Toole 2/1F 12
1975 Brown Lad 9-11-12 Tommy Carberry Jim Dreaper IRE Mrs Peter Burrell
7/4F 12
1974 Highland Abbe 8-11-12 Richard Smith Les Kennard Mrs K Hankey 15/2
15
1973 Moyne Royal 8-11-12 David Mould Arthur Pitt E Cook 10/1 8
1972 Parlour Moor 8-11-12 Macer Gifford Tom Jones Charlotte Monckton
13/2 11
