This article provides an in-depth look at the 2024 Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. It outlines the strong chances of racer Sir Gerhard and other possible threats like Irish Point and Crambo. While it acknowledges the potential of other competitors like Botox Has and Noble Yeats, it maintains that Sir Gerhard remains the preferred choice. The article concludes by emphasizing that this year's race seems more competitive than the previous year.
This historic Grade One takes place on day three of the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday 14th March
Irish Point, Sir Gerhard and Botox Has feature in our verdict
Expired
Mark Walsh celebrates on board Sire Du Berlais (R) after winning the Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle in 2023. (Getty)
St Patrick's Day at the Cheltenham Festival is headlined by the Stayers' Hurdle. The oldest of the four Championship races at the meeting, the Stayers' has produced its fair share of upsets during the past century and this year's renewal is looking as open as ever.
Here's our free guide to the 2024 Stayers' Hurdle. You'll find our best betting tips in the verdict section below.
2024 Stayers' Hurdle - Ante-Post Position
Sir Gerhard for the Stayers' Hurdle was my second ante-post selection for the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. I was never convinced by Willie Mullins' star over fences and, following a late fall behind Dinoblue on his reappearance, I could sense a switch back to hurdling was in the offing.
Sir Gerhard was confirmed in the field for a conditions hurdle at Punchestown on New Year's Eve, and Paul Townend's mount was backed into favouritism before the off. Despite a difficult position on the outside of the field, Sir Gerhard progressed smoothly through the contest and ran out an impressive winner over Thedevilscoachman and Ashdale Bob.
Neither gave the form of that Punchestown race a boost when comfortably beaten by Monkfish in the Galmoy Hurdle. Yet, Sir Gerhard was much the best horse in that contest and won very easily, despite a poor jump at the final flight.
To call a nine-year-old unexposed is a bit of a stretch, but Sir Gerhard has never run in a three-mile hurdles race before. The former Champion Bumper and Baring Bingham winner has plenty of course form to his name and Willie Mullins said his star "must go there with a very good chance" in his most recent stable tour with SportingLife.
Sir Gerhard powers to victory in the 2022 Baring Bingham. (Getty)
2024 Stayers' Hurdle Tips
Having backed Sir Gerhard at 20/1 for the Stayers' Hurdle in December, Mullins' star is now a general 8/1 shot to win the championship race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival. Some firms are offering 10/1, and I wouldn't dissuade anyone from taking either price about this two-time Festival winner.
The market is currently headed by Teahupoo, who I backed to win this race 12 months ago. Despite the rain arriving in time for Gordon Elliott's seven-year-old, Teahupoo couldn't deliver a winning challenge, finishing a disappointing third behind Sire Du Berlais and Dashel Drasher. It's too early to say whether the ground will be soft enough for this mudlark next month and, while it may have been Gordon Elliott's intention, I doubt that many horses have won a Championship race at Cheltenham on the back of a 100-day absence.
Of the two Robcour horses, I much prefer the chances of Irish Point. Elliott's six-year-old did very little wrong as a novice and I was blown away by his victory in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown. I believe that Irish Point would be the best horse in this race, should he take up his entry. Yet, there's a chance Elliott could run his budding star in the Champion Hurdle, following the news of Constitution Hill's setback that broke earlier in the week.
Like Irish Point, Crambo comes into the Stayers' Hurdle on the back of a maiden Grade One win over three miles. There's plenty of upside to Fergal O'Brien's seven-year-old and the race should be run to suit his stalking style. On decent ground, he would make it onto my shortlist.
Noble Yeats could also have a say in the matter. The Cleeve Hurdle he won in January doesn't seem like particularly strong form on paper, but they did crawl around Cheltenham for much of that contest and Noble Yeats hit the front too soon. The quicker they go in the Stayers' Hurdle, the more Emmet Mullins will fancy his Grand National winner's chances.
The one I took out of the Cleeve was Botox Has, who made several telling errors and was still only beaten five lengths. Gary Moore's star then came out and bolted up in the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock. The Liverpool Hurdle might be a more suitable target, but I would give Botox Has a decent each-way chance were he to pitch up at the Cheltenham Festival.
Sire Du Berlais has to be mentioned, given his stunning victory in this race 12 months ago at the age of 11. Gordon Elliott's star comes alive in the spring and another challenge might not be beyond him. This year's contest, however, looks stronger than the one he won in 2023 and I'd be very disappointed if a teenager managed to beat the progressive horses near the head of the market.
Jack Kennedy riding Irish Point clear the last to win The Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown Racecourse. (Getty)
Verdict
My money is already down on Sir Gerhard and he remains my number one selection for the 2024 Stayers' Hurdle.
If Irish Point was to run here, then I'll be having a punt on him. I'll could back Crambo if the ground isn't overly soft. At a wild price, Botox Has could sneak his way into the places, given a better round of jumping than what he produced in the Cleeve.
Best Bet1: Sir Gerhard 2024 Stayers' Hurdle Best Bet @8/1 at BOYLE Sports - 10 Units
Best Bet2: Irish Point 2024 Stayers' Hurdle Next Best @7/2 at bet365 - 5 Units
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