The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle is the premier long-distance hurdle race at the Cheltenham Festival, run over 3 miles on the New Course. Stamina, experience, and strong staying form are key for victory. Below, we break down the key trends, past winners, and best bets for this year’s renewal.
📊 Key Trends & Winning Profile
✅ Age Matters: 🏇 9 of the last 11 winners were 6 or 7 years old.
✅ Second-Season Hurdlers Excel: 🔄 7 of the last 11 winners were second-season hurdlers.
✅ Solid Recent Form Required: 📉 Every winner since 1986 finished in the first 4 last time out.
✅ Irish Domination: 🇮🇪 Irish-trained runners have won 6 of the last 7 renewals.
✅ Leopardstown Form Is Key: 🍀 3 of the last 4 winners ran in the Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle.
✅ Proven Grade 1 Class: 🏆 23 of the last 24 winners had been placed at least at Grade 1 level.
✅ Strong Last Run: 📈 18 of the last 21 winners finished 1st or 2nd last time out.
✅ Winning Stamina: 🏇 24 of the last 27 winners had previously placed in a 3-mile Grade 1 hurdle.
✅ Headgear Rarely Wins: 🚫 Sire De Berlais (2023) was the first headgear-wearing winner since 1992.
🏇 Recent Winners & Trends Analysis
📅 2025: TBD
📅 2024: Teahupoo (8yo, OR 169, 11/10F, G Elliott) – 1st in G1 Hattons Grace (102 days prior)
📅 2023: Sire De Berlais (11yo, OR 152, 33/1, G Elliott) – 4th in G2 Boyne Hurdle (32 days prior)
📅 2022: Flooring Porter (7yo, OR 164, 4/1, G Cromwell) – 2nd in G1 Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle (79 days prior)
📅 2021: Flooring Porter (6yo, OR 160, 12/1, G Cromwell) – 1st in G1 Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle (80 days prior)
📅 2020: Lisnagar Oscar (7yo, OR 146, 50/1, R Curtis) – 3rd in G2 Cleeve Hurdle (47 days prior)
📅 2019: Paisley Park (7yo, OR 168, 11/8F, E Lavelle) – 1st in G2 Cleeve Hurdle (47 days prior)
🔍 Key Trends:
✅ 6-7 year olds dominate – Young stayers have the best strike rate.
✅ Strong last-time-out form is key – 18 of the last 21 winners finished 1st or 2nd.
✅ Grade 1 experience is a must – 23 of the last 24 winners had at least placed at G1 level.
✅ Cheltenham Festival form matters – Many winners had placed at a previous Festival.
✅ Cleeve Hurdle is a strong trial – The last 11 winners to come from it finished 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.
🎯 Expert Verdict: Who to Bet On?
✅ Look for horses aged 6-7 or proven Festival winners.
✅ Recent Grade 1 form is crucial.
✅ Irish-trained runners are dominating this race.
✅ Strong finishers from the Cleeve Hurdle, Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle, or Hatton’s Grace have the best record.
📈 Best Bets for Stayers’ Hurdle 2025 – Top Selections
| 🏇 Horse | 📉 Odds | 🎯 Trainer | 🔥 Age | 📊 OR | ⭐ RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teahupoo | 11/10 | G Elliott | 8 | – | 169 |
| Lucky Place | 8/1 | N Henderson | 6 | 153 | 156 |
| The Wallpark | 12/1 | G Elliott | 7 | – | 156 |
🔥 Teahupoo (G Elliott) – Defending champion, strong Hatton’s Grace form, but short odds.
💪 Lucky Place (N Henderson) – Second-season hurdler, improving rapidly, ticks key trends.
🔍 The Wallpark (G Elliott) – Progressive and could be a dark horse at a nice price.
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