.png "New customers, bet £/€20 on the Exchange and if your first bet loses, we’ll refund you £/€20 in Cash. T&Cs apply. 18+|Gamble Aware.")
Stayers' Hurdle 2020 Racecard
The Stayers’ Hurdle – formerly known as the World Hurdle - has been the feature of Day Three at the Cheltenham Festival since 2005 and was first run in 1912. It currently takes place on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival. The Stayer’s Hurdle is a Grade 1, run over three miles on the New Course at Cheltenham, and the race has a total of twelve hurdles.
|
3:30
Thursday 12 March |
|
Distance: 23f 213y Age: 4yo + Prize: £325000 Going: Soft (Good to Soft in places) |
| FORM ENTRY |
SILK | HORSE JOCKEY & TRAINER |
AGE WGT |
ODDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
|
1. ASK DILLON (IRE) J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr. T: Fergal O'Brien |
7 11-10 |
|
Dual winner last season and a couple of creditable runs despite some sloppy jumping in 3m handicaps this season. Looks an out-and-out stayer but stiff task here in first-time cheekpieces.
3
|
||||
2 |
|
2. BACARDYS (FR) J: Mr P. W. Mullins T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
9 11-10 |
|
|
Ended losing run in Navan Grade 2 in November and having his third crack at this race (fell when likely to have been placed in 2018 and not seen to best effect last year). Each-way prospects.
3
|
||||
3 |
|
3. CITY ISLAND (IRE) J: M. P. Walsh T: Martin Brassil, Ireland |
7 11-10 |
|
|
Won a strong renewal of the Baring Bingham last year and no surprise if Cheltenham has been his main aim again all along, shaping up well over fences last time. 3m sure to suit and has had a wind op.
4
|
||||
4 |
|
4. DONNA'S DIAMOND (IRE) J: Thomas Dowson T: Chris Grant |
11 11-10 |
|
|
Won the Rendlesham at Haydock in 2018 and made a pleasing return behind Emitom in that race after a year off 4 weeks ago. Form is way short of what will be required to land this, though.
2
|
||||
5 |
|
5. EMITOM (IRE) J: Gavin Sheehan T: Warren Greatrex |
6 11-10 |
|
|
Fine novice last season (second to Champ in the Sefton) and firmly back on track when impressively landing a gamble in Haydock Grade 2 back over 3m last month. More to come from him.
4
|
||||
6 |
|
6. L'AMI SERGE (IRE) J: Daryl Jacob T: Nicky Henderson |
10 11-10 |
|
|
Quirky sort but has some decent Festival form and won the Aintree Hurdle in 2018. Fair return after 19 months off in the Long Walk but turned it in again in the Cleeve. Up against it.
2
|
||||
7 |
|
7. LISNAGAR OSCAR (IRE) J: Adam Wedge T: Rebecca Curtis |
7 11-10 |
|
|
Grade 2 staying novice hurdle winner and fifth in the Albert Bartlett. Took a while to get back to top form but ran well under a good positive ride behind Paisley Park in the Cleeve.
3
|
||||
8 |
|
8. PAISLEY PARK (IRE) J: Aidan Coleman T: Emma Lavelle |
8 11-10 |
|
|
Reigning champion and unbeaten under Aidan Coleman, doing well to land a messy renewal of the Cleeve Hurdle over C&D from Summerville Boy last time. Will take all the beating.
5
|
||||
9 |
|
9. PENHILL J: P. Townend T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
9 11-10 |
|
|
2-2 over C&D having landed the 2017 Albert Bartlett and this race in 2018 and could be building up to a massive effort again judged on his second in the Boyne Hurdle last month. Dismiss at your peril.
4
|
||||
10 |
|
10. RONALD PUMP J: B. J. Cooper T: Matthew J. Smith, Ireland |
7 11-10 |
|
|
Huge improver in Ireland and his 2 best runs this term have seen him get off the mark over fences on return before a mighty second in 3m Leopardstown handicap hurdle over Christmas. Could outrun odds.
3
|
||||
11 |
|
11. SUMMERVILLE BOY (IRE) J: Jonathan Burke T: Tom George |
8 11-10 |
|
|
Won the 2018 Supreme and firmly back on track this season returned to hurdling here, successful in the Relkeel before chasing home Paisley Park in the Cleeve. Solid place claims.
4
|
||||
12 |
|
12. THE JAM MAN (IRE) J: Sean Flanagan T: Ronan M. P. McNally, Ireland |
7 11-10 |
|
|
Big improver since his stamina has been drawn out, winning 4 times last year, and running mighty races in defeat in 3m handicap hurdles the last twice. Playing for minor honours at best here, though.
3
|
||||
13 |
|
13. TOBEFAIR J: Tom Bellamy T: Debra Hamer |
10 11-10 |
|
|
Ran a screamer in the Pertemps last season before winning 3m handicaps here on his next 2 starts. No match for Paisley Park and Co in the Cleeve last time, though, and vulnerable once more.
2
|
||||
14 |
|
14. WEST APPROACH J: Harry Cobden T: Colin Tizzard |
10 11-10 |
|
|
Smart performer when in the mood but took an age to knuckle down back over hurdles behind Emitom at Haydock last time and his Festival form is poor. Headgear back on.
2
|
||||
15 |
|
15. APPLE'S JADE (FR) J: Richard Johnson T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
8 11-3 |
|
|
Won the Mares' Hurdle in 2017 and made all for an 11th Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas. That's very much a standout effort this season, though, and she bombed out last time. Blinkers tried.
3
|
||||
Analyst's Verdict
There is a good chance PAISLEY PARK may not have peaked yet, even after 7 straight wins, and the staying champion can successfully defend his crown. Emitom and the 2018 Supreme winner Summerville Boy can complete a 1-2-3 for British-trained horses. City Island looks the pick of the Irish challengers.
The Stayers’ Hurdle has produced multiple winners like no other race at Cheltenham Festival has over the year; Big Buck’s (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012), Inglis Drever (2005, 2007, 2008), Baracouda (2002, 2003), Crimson Embers (1982, 1986), Galmoy (1987, 1988), Silver Bay (1913, 1914), Sobrino (1930, 1933) and Warwick (1923, 1925).
The leading jockey (since 1972) is Ruby Walsh who has been successful in the race five times, four of which came on Big Buck’s, whilst the fifth came on Nichols Canyon in 2017.
It’s a similar story with the leading trainer, with Paul Nicholls – trainer of Big Buck’s - leading the way with four victories.
The latest renewal saw a new star emerge in the shape of Paisley Park, who has won all of his starts in 2018/19. The well-backed favourite briefly looked in trouble over two furlongs out, having to be nudged along by Aidan Coleman coming down the hill, but once he met the rising ground in the straight there was only going to be one winner.
Paisley Park is still only a young horse, and he has the ability to reign the division for several years to come yet, just like Big Buck’s and Inglis Drever did.
Stayers' Hurdle 2020 FAQs
What is the distance of the Stayers' Hurdle?
3 miles
How many obstacles are jumped in the Stayers' Hurdle?
12
What day of the festival is the Stayers' Hurdle?
Day 3
What time is the Stayers' Hurdle?
15:00
What weights are carried for the Stayers' Hurdle?
11 st (4yo). 11 st 10 lb (5yo+)11st 7lb (5 yo+). 7lb allowance for fillies and mares.
What is the purse for the Stayers' Hurdle?
£325,000 (2020)
Who is the leading jockey in the Stayers' Hurdle?
Ruby Walsh
Who is the leading trainer in the Stayers' Hurdle?
Paul Nicholls
Who won the Stayers' Hurdle?
You can check out our Stayers' Hurdle results page here to see a list of previous winners.
Where can I compare the odds for the Stayers' Hurdle?
Click the link to visit our Stayers' Hurdle Odds Comparison page.
