Stayers’ Hurdle betting with William Hill
Formerly known as the World Hurdle, the Stayers’ Hurdle is one of two Grade 1 races on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival.
The winner not only scoops a valuable prize for connections, but also earns the title of top staying hurdler.
Every year sees a competitive renewal as the runners battle it out over three miles, jumping 12 hurdles on their way around the New Course.
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Cheltenham’s four-day Festival sees many coveted prizes on the line, with trainers and owners targeting the races well in advance.
While Cheltenham holds valuable races throughout the Jumps season, it all comes down to March’s Festival.
There are two courses in action – Old and New – each bringing a different test to a horse’s armoury, whether it’s speed on the Old Course or stamina on the New. Plus, the uphill finish brings drama with horses starting to tire or get lonely in front.
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Stayers’ Hurdle betting tips
Most Stayers’ Hurdle winners had been successful on their last outing before the Cheltenham Festival. A very high percentage had previous winning form at Cheltenham and recorded at least one Grade 1 victory.
Many winners of this race had won over three miles and had raced four times or more during the current season with at least one victory. An official rating of 158 or higher is usually required to win the Stayers’ Hurdle.
Solwhit (2013) was Ireland’s first success in the Stayers’ Hurdle since Dorans Pride (1995). Further Irish success soon followed with Nichols Canyon (2017) and Penhill (2018). Thierry Doumen trained Baracouda to win the race for France in 2002 and 2003.
Stayers’ Hurdle betting trends
When looking for the next winner of the Stayers’ Hurdle, here are a few handy tips to help you narrow down the runners.
Look for horses in their prime. No horse aged 10 or older has won since the 11-year-old Crimson Embers in 1986, while the last five-year-old winner was Whim II in 1951.
From the last 20 winners, 18 have been from the first six in the betting, so the cream usually rises to the top. Plus, 19 of the last 20 winners had at least placed in a Grade 1.
There are a few trial races, which could indicate a contender for the Stayers’ Hurdle. So, look out for clues in the JLT Hurdle at Ascot, the Relkeel Hurdle and the Cleeve Hurdle in the build-up to the Cheltenham Festival.
Favourites have a good record in this race. Paisley Park was as high as 6-1 after winning the Cleeve Hurdle but started a heavily-backed favourite at 11-8 in 2019. Thistlecrack was another horse to feature strongly in Stayers’ Hurdle bets, starting even money favourite in 2016.
Big Buck’s was third favourite at 6-1 for his first victory in this race in 2009. For the next three seasons, Big Buck’s was widely regarded as the Cheltenham Festival banker bet and returned odds-on favourite.
He was preceded by another Cheltenham legend in Inglis Drever. He was a popular Stayers’ Hurdle tip in 2005, returning 11-8 favourite when securing his third Stayers’ Hurdle title. Other multiple winners of this race include Crimson Embers, Galmoy and Baracouda.
Horses aged between 6 and 8 have been the most successful in the Stayers’ Hurdle. Inglis Drever (2008) and Big Buck’s (2012) were nine years old when claiming their final victories in the race. Solwhit (2013) was also a nine-year-old, while Crimson Embers was a veteran of eleven when winning in 1986.
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Stayers’ Hurdle ante-post betting pointers
Paisley Park was very popular among Stayers’ Hurdle tips after winning the JLT Hurdle at Ascot and the Cleve Hurdle at Cheltenham. Thistlecrack also won the same two trials prior to his victory in 2016. Cole Harden finished fourth to Saphir Du Rheu in the Cleeve Hurdle in 2015 but reversed the form at Cheltenham.
More Of That won the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham in December before his Stayers’ Hurdle victory in 2014. Big Buck’s won the Cleeve Hurdle twice and the Long Walk Hurdle at Newbury twice prior to his famous victories.
Penhill (2018) did not fit the typical profile having not raced for 323 days prior to winning here. He had won the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle over course and distance a year earlier.
Nichols Canyon also had an unusual build-up, falling in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on his previous start. This was his first attempt at three miles and he was brilliantly ridden by Ruby Walsh.
The obvious target for winners of the Stayers’ Hurdle is the Liverpool Hurdle at the Aintree Grand National meeting. They have a very high success rate with Big Buck’s completing the double four times and both Solwhit and Thistlecrack also obliging.
Nichols Canyon (2017) and Penhill (2018) ran in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Punchestown next time, both finishing second. Check William Hill promotions for the latest Stayers’ Hurdle betting odds along with special offers and price boosts.
Stayers’ Hurdle history and memorable winners
The Stayers’ Hurdle was first run in 1912 and was won by Aftermath. The race was moved to its current Thursday slot at the Cheltenham Festival in 1993. It was renamed the World Hurdle from 2005 to 2015 and the success of Big Buck’s helped to raise the profile of the race. The race reverted to its original title in 2017.
Big Buck’s will forever be associated with the Stayers’ Hurdle after his incredible run of four consecutive victories.
Trainer Paul Nicholls had originally mapped out a career over fences but the horse unseated his rider in the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup. He made a successful return to hurdles and would remain unbeaten in his next 18 races.
Big Buck’s was ridden to all four Stayers’ Hurdle victories by Ruby Walsh, who added a record fifth win on Nichols Canyon in 2017. That horse was owned by Andrea and Graham Wylie, bringing them level with the Stewart family (Big Buck’s) on four victories.
Another horse who regularly featured in Stayers’ Hurdle tips was Inglis Drever, the winner in 2005, 2007 and 2008. He was famous for his late run up the Cheltenham hill. His first victory came at the expense of the French-trained Baracouda, the winner in 2002 and 2003.
One of the most controversial finishes in the Stayers’ Hurdle was in 1985 when Rose Ravine beat Crimson Embers. Most observers believed that Rose Ravine had badly hampered her stable companion and that the placings would be reversed by the stewards.
Both horses were owned by Sally Smart and, in the absence of an objection, the result remained unaltered.
Other notable winners of the Stayers’ Hurdle include Derring Rose (1981), Galmoy (1987, 1988) and Nomadic Way (1992). Derring Rose was a temperamental character and sometimes refused to race but sprinted clear in 1981 under John Francome.
Stayers’ Hurdle 2021 betting
Several stars from the National Hunt scene have landed the Stayers’ Hurdle in years gone by, including Galmoy, Baracouda and Inglis Drever.
But the name synonymous with the Stayers’ Hurdle is the imperious Big Buck’s, who won in four consecutive years between 2009 and 2012.
More recently, there have been a few shocks. In 2020, 50/1 shot Lisnagar Oscar stormed up the Cheltenham hill to take glory. While in 2021, it went to Flooring Porter, who put in a dominant front-running performance.
Paisley Park made a dramatic rise through the ranks to head the Stayers’ Hurdle betting in 2019. He won a handicap hurdle at Aintree off an official rating of 140 in October and was rated 168 after his victory in March.
Emma Lavelle immediately put him away after a busy season in which he remained undefeated in five races. It will take a very good horse to lower his colours.
Penhill was a late withdrawal from the 2019 Stayers’ Hurdle due to injury. He was second to Faugheen in the Champion Stayers’ Hurdle at Punchestown on his only start of the season. Willie Mullins has worked miracles with this horse before so you couldn’t rule him out.
Martin Brassil has hinted that a tilt at the Stayers’ Hurdle may be on the agenda for City Island in 2020. The son of Court Cave defeated Champ in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs in soft ground.
To keep up with all the latest news and tips ahead of the Stayers’ Hurdle and the Cheltenham Festival, visit news.williamhill.com.
