2025 Stayers Hurdle

[Istabraq]

Added Shoot First tonight @ 50/1.

Thought he was very good at Haydock off a big weight (before jocks claim), a race that has produced a Stayers Hurdle winner previously, in Paisley Park, albeit he won off a higher mark.

Teahupoo aside, something could come from left field and he's one I think can improve enough to at least give him an E/W shout. I know improvement from a soon to be 9 year old sounds unlikely but he's had 9 career starts, so he's lightly enough raced.

He has course form, winning a Pertemps qualifier last season and because of his age they may just roll the dice.

Was rated 139 before the weekend, I suspect he'll get 5- 6lbs for the win, so he's off 145. I haven't seen any quotes but I hope they'd target the Long Walk next, maybe.

I’m surprised there’s been such little chat in here about this ones performance last, I had him for the lot a year or two back but couldn’t bring myself to backing him last Saturday.
The hype back then was significant and he clearly retains a big chunk of that ability, he’ll be one I get onside soon I think….

[Ice]

I’m surprised there’s been such little chat in here about this ones performance last, I had him for the lot a year or two back but couldn’t bring myself to backing him last Saturday.
The hype back then was significant and he clearly retains a big chunk of that ability, he’ll be one I get onside soon I think….

I couldn't believe the price he drifted out to on Saturday.

[Istabraq]

I couldn't believe the price he drifted out to on Saturday.

I assumed he was over for a leg stretch, let the handicapper have a look at him and get him qualified for the Pertemps eventually, possibly Warwick, how wrong was I….

[Kevloaf]

I’m surprised there’s been such little chat in here about this ones performance last, I had him for the lot a year or two back but couldn’t bring myself to backing him last Saturday.
The hype back then was significant and he clearly retains a big chunk of that ability, he’ll be one I get onside soon I think….

Beaten Botox Has by 2L getting a stone stopped me looking when we're talking about a Stayers Hurdle

Not knocking a 50/1 tip ComplyOrDie of course brother, but 50/1 would be fair on the day

[Istabraq]

Beaten Botox Has by 2L getting a stone stopped me looking when we're talking about a Stayers Hurdle

Not knocking a 50/1 tip ComplyOrDie of course brother, but 50/1 would be fair on the day

Sire du Berlais Mark II….

[Kevloaf]

Sire du Berlais Mark II….

A fPertemps to win along the way then first...

[riccirich]

Beaten Botox Has by 2L getting a stone stopped me looking when we're talking about a Stayers Hurdle

Not knocking a 50/1 tip ComplyOrDie of course brother, but 50/1 would be fair on the day

I think on certain occasions you have to ignore the bare form, and examining how a charles Byrnes horse ran in a handicap is definitely one of those times imo. He was a snug winner over botox has, and they were targeting the pertemps final with him which he was favourite for before his injury, so they wouldn't have wanted to have been winning by much more.

I think he had way more in hand than the winning margin on Saturday, I think he hit the front plenty soon enough, he was doddling the whole way up the run in. it kept looking like different horses were going to close him down but he kept picking up again, then slowing down, then picking up again.

I have backed him for the stayers too, I had to having backed him antepost for Saturday and then continuously topping up again the more he drifted, while resigning myself to the fact that he wasnt going to be trying because that yard was surely not going to let it go off at 22/1 if he's trying

I don't know if he's going to be able to reach teahupoo levels, but I think he's definitely better than the likely mark he's going to get for winning Saturday.

[DenmanSacre]

I'd be wary of the form on Saturday, especially for stepping up in class. Easily the slowest time for that race over the last 10 years (the same for the Betfair Chase as well). The ground must have been very heavy and you see it each year where horses who win on that ground at Haydock can't then follow up with decent performances afterwards. Saturday proved he was a dour stayer but didn't prove he can go at the pace required in a Stayers hurdle.

[ComplyOrDie]

Beaten Botox Has by 2L getting a stone stopped me looking when we're talking about a Stayers Hurdle

Not knocking a 50/1 tip ComplyOrDie of course brother, but 50/1 would be fair on the day

That form was 2 seasons ago. He was 10lbs higher at the weekend and still won well enough, he's also a very game horse in front, which I like. Doesn't necessarily mean they are good enough though

Look, he's 50/1 for a reason, he's probably not beating Teahupoo, but the division has question marks about it, and even more so as to what is turning up. If he does it will be with an E/W shout.

[ComplyOrDie]

I'd be wary of the form on Saturday, especially for stepping up in class. Easily the slowest time for that race over the last 10 years (the same for the Betfair Chase as well). The ground must have been very heavy and you see it each year where horses who win on that ground at Haydock can't then follow up with decent performances afterwards. Saturday proved he was a dour stayer but didn't prove he can go at the pace required in a Stayers hurdle.

I'm not bothered by the time of the race, he didn't choose the fractions they went, he was held up, but he outstayed them all at the end.

He's probably just going to be another Crambo, and be a handicapper in a graded field, he may not even turn up at all yet. Long way to go.

Don't know if there were any quotes after the race?

[Quevega]

Intense Raffles possibly one to consider for this.
Said to be campaigned over hurdles prior to grand national.
Not seen rest of article though, so they may well mention running here or not.

But if he were to win the Navan race, then he'd be not far off what's required to be competitive.
Not priced anywhere.

[Eggs]

….Murphy re Strong Leader’s run tomorrow;

“He’s in good form, he’s been trained for the race and we’re looking forward to running him. Obviously it’s cut up big time so hopefully he’s the one they’ve all got to beat.

“It’s the start of what is hopefully a busy season for him, I’m expecting him to be fit enough to go and win but I’ve left a bit to work with as well.

“I don’t know why it’s cut up as bad as it did but it’s still a tight little race. I wouldn’t swap my lad, he’s got a penalty and we have bigger targets ahead but it’d be lovely to win it.”

[Wayward Lad]

….Murphy re Strong Leader’s run tomorrow;

“He’s in good form, he’s been trained for the race and we’re looking forward to running him. Obviously it’s cut up big time so hopefully he’s the one they’ve all got to beat.

“It’s the start of what is hopefully a busy season for him, I’m expecting him to be fit enough to go and win but I’ve left a bit to work with as well.

“I don’t know why it’s cut up as bad as it did but it’s still a tight little race. I wouldn’t swap my lad, he’s got a penalty and we have bigger targets ahead but it’d be lovely to win it.”

‘trained for the race’……..5/6 from EV’s now COD

[Eggs]

….William Hill holding onto a bit of 16-1 Strong Leader but most cutting.

[Eggs]

…Strong Leader 20-1 Stayers in Hills ‘Road to Cheltenham’ specials.

12-1 best elsewhere with 365.


The winning rider told ITV Racing: “I wanted a lead because he doesn’t do a whole lot in front but at the same time he’s a strong stayer and I didn’t want to be setting it up for the others.

“I suppose it was tactical enough but he’s won a shade cosy and got his season off to a good start.”