The Stayers’ Hurdle is the premier staying hurdle race at the Cheltenham Festival, contested over about 3 miles. It’s a demanding test of stamina, class, and jumping ability — and one of the most unpredictable championship races of the week.
📊 Key Trends & Winning Profile
✅ Age: 9 of the last 11 winners were aged 6 or 7.
✅ Festival Experience: 23 of the last 24 winners had previously been placed at least at Grade 1 level.
✅ Graded Success: All of the last 23 winners had won at least a Grade 2.
✅ Distance Form: 24 of the last 27 winners had placed in a Grade 1 over 3 miles.
✅ Course Experience: 29 of the last 32 winners had shown good or winning Cheltenham form.
✅ Headgear: Sire Du Berlais (2023) was the first headgear-wearing winner since 1992.
✅ Seasonal Runs: Last 21 winners had no more than 4 runs since October.
✅ Ratings: 17 of the last 21 winners were rated 156+
✅ Hattons Grace Route: Teahupoo (2024) and Sire Du Berlais (2023) were the first winners this century to come from the Hattons Grace.
✅ Cleeve Hurdle Link: 8 of the last 18 winners had run in the Cleeve Hurdle.
🏇 Recent Winners & Trends Analysis
| Year | Winner | Age | OR | SP | Trainer | Jockey | Last Race |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Teahupoo | 7 | 162 | 5/4F | G Elliott (IRE) | J Kennedy | 1st in Hattons Grace (102 days prior) |
| 2023 | Sire De Berlais | 11 | 152 | 33/1 | G Elliott (IRE) | M Walsh | 4th in Boyne Hurdle (32 days prior) |
| 2022 | Flooring Porter | 7 | 164 | 4/1 | G Cromwell (IRE) | D Mullins | 2nd in Leopardstown Xmas Hurdle |
| 2021 | Flooring Porter | 6 | 160 | 12/1 | G Cromwell (IRE) | D Mullins | 1st in Leopardstown Xmas Hurdle |
| 2020 | Lisnagar Oscar | 7 | 146 | 50/1 | R Curtis | A Wedge | 3rd in Cleeve Hurdle (47 days prior) |
| 2019 | Paisley Park | 7 | 168 | 11/8F | E Lavelle | A Coleman | 1st in Cleeve Hurdle (47 days prior) |
📈 Best Bets for Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle 2025 – Top Selections
✅ Teahupoo (3/2)
✅ Won last year’s race — aiming for back-to-back wins.
✅ Top-rated at 164 — comfortably within the winning range.
✅ Proven at Cheltenham and over 3 miles.
✅ Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy are proven big-race performers.
💪 Verdict: The horse to beat — fits every key trend and profile.
✅ The Wallpark (7/1)
✅ 7 years old — ideal winning age.
✅ Rated 152 — lightly raced with scope for improvement.
✅ Gordon Elliott’s second string — stable strength is a key factor.
✅ Strong staying form over 3 miles.
💪 Verdict: Potential improver — could upset the favourite.
✅ Lucky Place (7/1)
✅ 6 years old — ideal age profile.
✅ Lightly raced — fits the second-season hurdler trend.
✅ Nicky Henderson trained — looking for his first Stayers’ win since 2000.
✅ Strong Grade 2 form over 3 miles.
💪 Verdict: Ideal profile — trainer form could make the difference.
✅ Home By The Lee (6/1)
✅ Placed in this race last year — proven Cheltenham form.
✅ Won the Leopardstown Xmas Hurdle — key trial for this race.
✅ Joseph O’Brien targets this race with precision.
💪 Verdict: Consistent performer at Grade 1 level — major player.
✅ Mystical Power (16/1)
✅ Trained by Willie Mullins — last won this in 2018.
✅ Paul Townend on board — top jockey.
✅ Lightly raced but improving — rated 154.
💪 Verdict: Could be the Mullins dark horse — interesting at the price.
✅ Rocky’s Diamond (20/1)
✅ 5 years old — rare for a five-year-old to win but has strong form.
✅ Grade 2 winner over 3 miles.
✅ Handles soft and heavy ground well.
💪 Verdict: Outsider with upside — could surprise if stamina holds up.
🚫 Runners to Avoid
❌ Bob Olinger (25/1) – Not the force he once was; trip possibly too stiff.
❌ Ga Law (50/1) – Out of form and exposed at this level.
❌ Franciscan Rock (50/1) – Too exposed and low-rated for a race of this calibre.
💰 Each-Way Value
➡️ The Wallpark (7/1) – Progressive profile and proven stayer.
➡️ Lucky Place (7/1) – Second-season hurdler with ideal profile.
➡️ Mystical Power (16/1) – Could thrive if ground comes up soft.
🔥 Best Trend Fit: Teahupoo
✅ Won last year — aiming for a repeat.
✅ Top-rated and proven over the trip.
✅ Grade 1 winner over 3 miles.
✅ Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy — proven Cheltenham combination.
🏆 Top Selection: Teahupoo – Proven champion with the best profile.
💼 Best Each-Way Bet: The Wallpark – Progressive and lightly raced.
🚀 Dark Horse: Lucky Place – Second-season improver with scope.
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