Stayers' Hurdle 2024 Tips - Pre-season guide and preview

Jon Vine

Editor

Last updated: Tue 09 Jan 2024 13:58

Jon Vine 09 Jan 2024

Share this article

Ante-post guide and tips for the 2024 Stayers' Hurdle
Gaelic Warrior is the early favourite
We've backed Iroko at an ante-post price of 33/1

Mark Walsh celebrates on board Sire Du Berlais (R) after winning the Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle during day three of the Cheltenham Festival 2023. (Getty)

Stayers' Hurdle 2024 Pre-Season Guide

2024 Stayers' Hurdle Odds
👑 The Defending Champion 👑
⚠️ The Main Danger ⚠️
♞ The Dark Horses ♞

The Stayers' Hurdle is the oldest of the four Championship races staged at the Cheltenham Festival and takes pride of place in the center of the card on day three.

A lack of quality in the staying hurdles division was further emphasised in the spring, as a teenager picked up the victory at Cheltenham before going in again at Aintree. With a repeat bid from the soon-to-be 12-year-old defending champion unlikely, there's an intriguing look to the betting for this season's Stayers' Hurdle.

Here's our ante-post guide to the 2024 Stayers' Hurdle, including an early Cheltenham Festival tip.

2024 Stayers' Hurdle Odds

Name	Odds
Gaelic Warrior	4/1
Impaire Et Passe	8/1
Teahupoo	12/1
Marie's Rock	14/1
Klassical Dream	16/1
Sire Du Berlais	16/1
Bar	25/2

👑 The Defending Champion 👑

What Sire Du Berlais achieved last spring, at the ripe-old age of 11, was nothing short of miraculous. Gordon Elliott's star won the Stayers' Hurdle, before landing the Liverpool Hurdle three weeks later. Sire Du Berlais then attempted to seal an audacious treble at Punchestown later that same month, and was only beaten a length behind course specialist, Klassical Dream.

As is his wont, Elliott's teenager will show absolutely nothing until he feels spring turf under his feet. That should ensure you get a nice, juicy price about Sire Du Berlais for the 2024 Stayers' Hurdle, so there's no point taking the 16/1 that's currently on offer.

⚠️ The Main Danger ⚠️

The Stayers' Hurdle has been crying out for a star for a while now and Gaelic Warrior has the potential to answer that plea. Willie Mullins' rising star finished a good second to Impaire Et Passe in the Ballymore 12 months ago, before running away with the three-mile novices hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.

To be a real force around Cheltenham, Mullins will need to iron out the flaws in Gaelic Warrior's jumping. Paul Townend's mount has jumped markedly right on all of his starts going left-handed. That fault wasn't quite as pronounced when Patrick Mullins buried him away on the inside in the Ballymore, but Gaelic Warrior still seemed to lug to the right when asked for an effort.

Novice chasing has been mentioned for Gaelic Warrior in some parts, but Mullins' would be a fool not to try and exploit the weakness in the stayer's division and Gaelic Warrior has the raw ability to dominate this contest.

♞ The Dark Horses ♞

Unlike the first two Championship races that I've covered in this series, there are a whole host of potential dark horses in the three-mile hurdle ranks. Teahupoo remains open to further improvement and Marie's Rock has been crying out for a trip, but there are even more appealing options at longer prices.

Irish Point looks set to remain over hurdles for another campaign and Gordon Elliott's charge could prove to be a stout stayer over three miles. Sir Gerhard didn't warm to fences at all last season and he could make up into a lovely staying hurdler, if Willie Mullins wanted to go down that route.

Home By The Lee did well to finish fifth in the race last year, having made an absolute horlicks of the sixth flight and he remains open to further progress. As does Donald McCain's Maximilian, who defeated Albert Bartlett winner Stay Away Fay to win the River Don, before losing out to Apple Away by a length in the Sefton at Aintree.

We then reach Iroko, who I've included in my 20 To Follow for the upcoming jumps season. Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero's five-year-old finished a close third in the Sefton, having won the Martin Pipe here at Cheltenham. The Martin Pipe has a habit of throwing up talented winners and there's clearly more to come from Iroko. If he stays over hurdle, then I wouldn't be surprised to see him challenging for the Stayers' Hurdle in 2024.

Verdict

Gaelic Warrior could simply sweep aside all before him over three miles this season. He's got that much natural ability. That being said, there are good ante-post options much further down the betting, including Iroko, who I've had a small punt on at 33/1.

Iroko E/W

2024 Stayers' Hurdle Early Tip

@33/1 - 5 Units

50% back up to £25

Racing Specialists

18+ New UK Customers Only. Bet £10+ on any sportsbook markets at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. No cash out. Get 50% back of your first day’s losses (from first bet settlement until 23:59) as a Free Bet up to £25, valid for 7 days. Min. 3 bets on different events required, with 2 bets being at least 50% of your largest stake. Place at least 1 bet of £10+ at odds 2.00+ to receive a £5 Free Bet even if your account is up or losses are under £5. T&Cs Apply. GambleAware.org

Bet at QuinnBet