2026 Stayers' Hurdle preview, tip and ratings

Last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle was fought out by the Robcour-owned pair Bob Olinger (170) and Teahupoo (172), with the Henry de Bromhead-trained Bob Olinger recording his third Festival win when beating the 7/4 favourite by a length and three quarters. The same two head the Timeform ratings this year, with Teahupoo bidding to regain the title which he won on soft ground in 2024, having also finished a close third on his first appearance in the race the year before.

Teahupoo has won all three of his starts since last year’s race, going on to take the Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown and returning this season to win a third Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse and a first Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown where he had Bob Olinger, who was having his first run since last year’s Festival, seven lengths back in second. Both have been kept fresh since.

Like Bob Olinger, Ballyburn (169) is a former Baring Bingham winner at this meeting who didn’t meet expectations over fences, but he made a very good return to hurdling when failing by only a nose to peg back Teahupoo in the Hatton’s Grace. However, he was beaten much further into third when favourite to turn the tables in the Christmas Hurdle, and with his tendency to take a strong hold and carry his head very low, he’s tried in a hood for the first time.

There’s an interesting trio of progressive younger rivals next in the ratings, including Teahupoo’s lightly-raced stablemate Honesty Policy (167p). He completed a hat-trick in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree last season before finishing a good second on his first try over three miles at Punchestown. He improved again on his only start since when third to smart pair Impose Toi (165) and Strong Leader in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot after travelling well.

Leading British contenders Ma Shantou (166p) and Kabral du Mathan (165p) began the season winning handicaps but have progressed to better things, each coming here after convincing Grade 2 wins at Cheltenham last time. The strong-travelling Ma Shantou has won all three of his starts at Cheltenham this season, in fact (runner-up at Haydock in the other one), and was better than ever in the Cleeve Hurdle last time when forging away to win impressively by seven lengths from Impose Toi, in receipt of 6 lb from the runner-up. Kabral du Mathan has shown improved form too in winning both his starts this season since joining Dan Skelton and stepping up in trip, showing plenty of speed to win the steadily-run Relkeel Hurdle last time with plenty in hand. Unlike Ma Shantou, he needs to prove his stamina but looks likely to stay three miles.

The remainder look up against it, with Home By The Lee (164) and Hewick (154) in the veteran category nowadays. Home By The Lee won the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran last time but he’s a lazy type and in four previous Stayers’ Hurdle attempts his best placing was third behind Teahupoo in 2024. Hewick has a variety of big wins on his CV but makes a rare Festival appearance, having fallen in the 2023 Gold Cup on his only previous visit. He hasn’t run since finishing a below-form fifth behind Impose Toi in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in November.

Doddiethegreat (159) won the Pertemps Final on this day last year, and while he has run consistently in better company this season, including when third in the Cleeve last time, that form leaves him with something to find against the top staying hurdlers. Gwennie May Boy (155?) won the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock last season when with Dan Skelton but hasn’t shown much since and has changed stables again, now with Christian Williams after a couple of starts for Olly Murphy.

Timeform weight-adjusted ratings

172 Teahupoo

170 Bob Olinger

169 Ballyburn

167p Honesty Policy

166p Ma Shantou

165p Kabral du Mathan

165 Impose Toi

164 Home By The Lee

159 Doddiethegreat

155? Gwennie May Boy

154 Hewick

Timeform analyst’s verdict

Previous winners have an excellent record in this and last year's decisive victor BOB OLINGER looks the value call ahead of 2024 winner Teahupoo who was unable to match the selection's turn of foot when runner-up 12 months ago. This does look a deep renewal, however, with progressive trio Honesty Policy, Kabral du Mathan and Ma Shantou all on the shortlist.