sppsAGE - In 1972 this became the Stayers as we know it. Only Solwhit, Gaye Chance, Crimson Embers, Galmoy, Inglis Drever and Big Buck's have won this race when aged 9 or over. Solwhit came here a six time Grade 1 winner. All bar Solwhit were previous Festival winners and of the rest, only Gaye Chance had not won this race before. Gaye Chance was the last of Fred Rimell's 27 Festival winners. Last year four of the 10 strong field were of this vintage, Paisley Park 3rd, Champ 4th the best. In 2021 eight of the 15 strong field were nine or older, Sire du Berlais 2nd, Paisley Park 3rd at 9/4 fav. In 2020 six elder statespeople tried, best was Bacardys 3rd at 33s. A fair ride by Mr PW Mullins. Paisley Park, Thyme Hill, Dashel Drasher, Buzz, Klassical Dream, Summerville Boy.

6 and 7 year olds. They have taken 25 from the last 32 or probably more importantly, eight of the last nine. As shown in the Honours Board, only Thistlecrack of the last nine winners was older than 7 yrs. As 8 year olds, Inglis Drever and Baracouda were winning for the second time, Big Buck's for the third. The other three were Thistlecrack, Anzum and Balasani (of which I can find nothing else in common). 1994 Balasani got it off Avro Anson on a stewards enquiry. Good decision by the stewards and the last time a Festival result was overturned. Flooring Porter, Cole Harden and More of That at 6 yrs were first time winners.

Going back 29 races, first time winners were Solwhit (aged 9), Thistlecrack and Anzum (8) in 1999, Balasani (8) in 1994. All other first time out winners were aged 6 or 7 yrs.

No 5 year old has ever won this race. French bred 5 yr olds such as Le Coudray, Cyborgo and Escartifigue went close and Smad Place was third in 2012. Five of the 11 five year olds to run in the last 18 editions have been placed (and 4 of the last 6). No five yr olds have run in any of the last eight years. They can come from the previous year's Triumph.

Crimson Embers won as a 7 yr old and then again in 1986, as the only 11 yr old ever to succeed. If I remember right he was also returning from an injury. Some present in 1985 say he was unlucky not to be awarded the race as a 10 yr old when allegedly the victim of 'slight' interference from stablemate/same owner and favourite Rose Ravine. Others have said that it wasn't interference, more of an assault. There was no objection from connections. I think they changes the rules after that. Indulge me and click on this. Our first year attending the Festival. It's fantastic to hear the Voice again and compare the surroundings to those of the modern day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO5fuKe9BlE.

REGAINING TITLE - Crimson Embers and Inglis Drever are the only two to have regained title. Both had to overcome injury before their second win. Paisley Park

HATTONS GRACE - This century 28 horses that ran in the Fairyhouse 2m 4f G1 then moved up in distance to have a crack at the Stayers. No winners. Eight had won at Fairyhouse and 10 of the 28 started at single figure odds in March. None came last year. In 2021 Beacons Edge 3rd at Fairyhouse, 4th at 10s in Cheltenham, Bacardys behind him both times, 4th and 7th. 2019 Bacardys was 2nd at Fairyhouse then 3rd in this at 33s. Against that, since 2010 I can only find five that went down in trip to have a go at the Champion Hurdle. Honeysuckle (obviously) Hurricane Fly and Jezki both did the double, Mick Jazz, 5th at Fairyhouse, finished 3rd at 25s at Cheltenham, and Apples Jade bombed out in 2018. Teahupoo from Klassical Dream, Honeysuckle and Ashdale Bob.

THE CLEEVE HURDLE - Only Rose Ravine, Inglis Drever, Big Buck's (twice) Thistlecrack and Paisley Park have done the Cleeve Hurdle/Stayers double. 2021 abandoned. Paisley Park didn't repeat the feat in 2020. In 2019 Sam Spinner was 4th in the Cleeve before finishing 2nd in this to Paisley Park. Unowhatimeanharry won Cleeve then 3rd here in 2017 when odds on. Saphir De Rheu 2nd here after winning on Trials Day 2016. 2015 when Cole Harden won the Stayers, he was only fourth home in the January soft ground. 2014 At Fishers Cross (2nd in January, 3rd in March). 2013 Reve De Sivola winner of Cleeve was 4th in March. Bacchanal and Inglis were 2nd in the Cleeve and Anzum unplaced in January before coming to win here. The Cleeve was only upgraded to 3 miles and Grade 2 status in '05. The last 11 winners of the Cleeve to run here have finished 2/3/1/1/0/2/1/4/1/3/1/6/3. Grand Crus in 2011 won the Cleeve and finished runner up in March. In '10, Time for Rupert 2nd in Cleeve and 2nd here. In '07 Inglis was 2nd to Blazing Bailey in Cleeve before winning World Hurdle. Last year Paisley Park stayed on as usual, 3rd in March. Has won three Cleeve Hurdles equalling the magnificent Lady Rebecca. Well beaten in fourth attempt, third behind Gold Tweet (likely to be supplemented) and Dashel Drasher.

To say it another way, Lisnagar Oscar became the eighth Stayers’ Hurdle winner in the past 16 years to have contested the Cleeve. Of those eight, five were successful in January, two finished placed, and Cole Harden finished only fourth in 2015. (The Cleeve has also featured four of the last 13 winners of the Ultima).

Inglis Drever, Big Buck's and Thistlecrack only horses to have done the Long Distance Hurdle (Newbury Hennessey day)/Stayers double. Paisley Park won at Newbury 2021, 3rd here. Champ not entered 2023. Unowhatimeanharry. Paisley Park, Thistlecrack, Big Bucks and My Way De Solzen have both done the Long Walk/Stayers double although My Way's Long Walk was held at Chepstow. Paisley Park mugged Thyme Hill at Ascot, 3rd here. Paisley Park 'went clear' from Goshen in a re-arranged Long Walk, Kempton Boxing Day.

Big Buck's only ran one season in all of the Long Distance at Newbury, the Long Walk and the Cleeve winning them all by 5l, 8l and 7l respectively. Paisley Park didn't run at Newbury in his year. In 2016 Thistlecrack won all three by 6l, 8l and 12l respectively. In 2017 Unowhatimeanharry won all three by 6l, 4.5l and 1.75l respectively. Then beaten here at 5/6.

No horse has done the Haydock Trial/World Hurdle double. Baracouda did win both in 2002 when the Rendlesham was held at Kempton. Emiton 4th here after an easy Haydock win. Last two winners Wholestone and Third Wind didn't come.

Penhill, Faugheen, Katchit in 2008, Istabraq and Hardy Eustace are the only winners of Festival novice hurdles since 1984 to have returned to Cheltenham and won any hurdle race the following year. This year Constitution Hill and Vauban having a clash in the CH. The Nice Guy inj.

Penhill became the first Stayers Hurdle winner to have ever run in any of the 16 Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdles never mind do the double. This has now become the norm Paisley Park was 13th to Kilbricken Storm in his novice year and Lisnagar Oscar 5th to Minella Indo in his. Kilbricken Storm was 11th to Paisley Park in 2019. My thanks to Rory Delargy for pointing out to me this list of subsequent Festival winners to have been beaten in an Albert Bartlett. Lisnagar Oscar joins Paisley Park. Chief Dan George, Bostons Angel, Oscar Park, Cape Tribulation, Teaforthree, The Druids Nephew, O'Faolins Boy, Black Hercules, Blaklion, Native River, Balko Des Flos. Also throw in other NH big guns such as Carruthers and Elegant Escape. Flooring Porter has stemmed the AB flow. Lisnagar Oscar who was only one of two in the 2019 Albert Bartlett field to come to this race. Seems easy enough now, doesn't it. Fury Road was a neck 3rd to Monkfish then PU here 2021 backed to 4s late. None came here last year from the 2021 AB but it is worth recalling that behind Vanillier in the first five home were Oscar Elite 3rd Ultima, Stattler and Alaphillipe 2nd in the Pertemps. I'm digressing but look out for Bardenstown Lad, Ballygriffin Lad, Mahler Mission perhaps.

27 of last 30 had shown 'good' if not winning previous course form (not Flooring Porter first time, Solwhit or My Way De Solzen, Long Walk Winner. all three SP here under 9/1). Lisnagar Oscar as well as the run in the AB, had previously been 2nd in that 3m December G2 novice hurdle. With his Cleeve run he had achieved two placed course runs in G2s. Paisley and Penhill we know about. Nichols Canyon 3rd in both a Neptune and a Champion Hurdle. More Of That won the G2 Relkeel. Cole Harden 3rd of 7 in a Relkeel, 4th of 6 in the Cleeve. Was that good course form? I gave it to him.

GRADED FORM - Last 21 had all won at least at G2 level, 20 of the last 21 had been placed (at least) in a G1

FORM OVER 3 MILES - Since 1989 there have been 25 different winners of this race. eight of them were attempting 3 miles for the first time in the UK or IRE. They were Nichols Canyon (had actually tried it in America) More Of That, Solwhit, Inglis Drever, Bacchanal, Karshi, Princeful and Nomadic Way. Inglis actually came here from winning the Haydock Champion Hurdle Trial and then the Kingwell at Wincanton in 3m 47secs. He had been second to Fundamentalist in the Neptune Novice Hurdle the previous season. Versatile.

Up to 2013, only 4 of the previous 33 win and place had not won over 3 miles. Inglis was joined by Kazal and Crystal D'Ainay who were placed in Graded 3 milers before this and Smad Place 2011 on his first run over 3 miles. Kazal had won a Graded Race over 2m 6f in a Limerick bog. None of More of That, Annie Power, Solwhit nor Celestial Halo had previously tried 3 miles over hurdles. All placed horses in the last seven years bar Ronald Pump had Graded place form over 3 miles. In 2018 they all had previous G1 form over 3 miles. In 2019 all three were G1 winners over 3 miles. In 2020 1st had won over 3 miles, Bacardys 2nd in a Punchestown G1. In 2021 Sire du Berlais 2nd, Paisley Park 3rd. 1-2-3 last year all previous Grade 1 winners over 3m.

Nichols Canyon and Solwhit are the first ex-champion hurdle contenders to win since Nomadic Way in 1992. Nichols Canyon had been 3rd to Annie Power in 2015. Solwhit had been 6th to Binocular in 2010. Since Nomadic Way, Zaynar, Ashkazar, Hardy Eustace and Oscar Whisky tried unsuccessfully. Celestial Halo ran with merit when 2nd to Solwhit. He had been 4th to Binocular and 2nd to Punjabi in Champion Hurdles. Faugheen had a fantastic run in 3rd in 2019 as an 11 yr old. Last year Klassical Dream 5th had won the 2019 Supreme but didn't make the step up before getting injured.

IRISH TRAINED - Last year 5 from the 10 runners. Apart from Flooring Porter, nothing else better than 5th. 2021 six from 15 runners resulted in a 1-2-4-5. Also six out of the 15 runners 2020, a 2-3 with Ronald Pump and Bacardys. In 2019 Willie Mullins had Faugheen 3rd at 4s and Bapaume 16s in 4th, Bacardys 6th to follow Penhill and Nichols Canyon, Solwhit in 2013 first Irish Trained winner since Dorans Pride 1995. Placed Irish trained Supasundae 6/1, Annie Power (11/8 fav 2nd), Voler La Vedette, Mourad, Powerstation (3rd in 2010 and 2009) Kazal, Rule Supreme, Limestone Lad (twice), Golden Cross, Bannow Bay and Le Coudray as all placed in the last 16 races. Solerina and Sallie's Girl were also 4th.

W Mullins 2 wins and 2 placed in the last five.

Flooring Porter (on both wins!), Penhill, Nichols Canyon and placed horses Bacardys, Voler La Vedette and Powerstation in 2010 were not the shortest-priced of the Irish runners. Flooring Porter was actually 5th fav of six in that market on his first win and Klassical Dream started fav last year. Apples Jade shortest at 7/1 in 2020, retired. Jezki shorter than Nichols Canyon in 2017. Three in 2016, best Alpha Des Obeaux in 2nd chasing Thistlecrack.

None of Flooring Porter x2, Penhill, Nichols Canyon or Solwhit came from the Boyne Hurdle at Navan in mid-February. The three previous Irish trained did, Dorans Pride, Shuil Ar Aghaidh, and Trapper John (Charlie Swan did me out of 50s Bluff Cove, mind you I can't remember what I did yesterday). Also Golden Cross was 2nd here. Flooring Porter won the 3m G1 at Leopardstown over Christmas. Barcardys last run was to be stuffed by Apples Jade over 3m at Leopardstown at Xmas. Last year Ashdale Bob 2nd and Commander Of Fleet 3rd at Navan, dominated a soft ground Coral Cup. Nothing came to this. 2019 Tiger Roll strolled around Navan, winning at 60s on the machine. What a horse. Solwhit had come from winning the 2m 4f Limestone Lad hurdle at Naas. That race has since been shortened to a 2 miler. Blazing Khal from Meet And Greet, Saint Sam fav, disappointed.

Mares with their 7 lbs allowance. 23 have tried in the past 26. One winner, 3 seconds, two thirds and four fourths. (Voler La Vedette 2nd under a great ride by Andrew Lynch in 2012, Annie Power 2nd 2014). None ran in 2016 or 2017, three in 2018, best Colins Sister RIP 33s in fourth including a disappointing Augusta Kate. Apples Jade faded to 8th in 2020. As did Royal Kahala last year.

Galmoy Hurdle - Royal Kahala and Klassical Dream didn't do much for the form last year 2021 Sams Profile inj. 2020 Benie Des Dieux took on Honeysuckle in the Mares Hurdle when she might have been better here. 2019 Bapaume 2nd at Gowran before 4th here, Augusta Kate 2nd to Presenting Percy 2018. 2017 Shaneshill PU in the Stayers after winning in Gowran. Alpha Des Obeaux 2nd in both 2016. Monskland 2015 2nd at Gowran, PU Cheltenham. Mourad wins at Gowran, 3rd behind Big Bucks. Powerstation 2nd at Gowran, 3rd to Big Bucks 2011. The Galmoy hurdle has been going since 2002. No winner has doubled up at Cheltenham. Teahuphoo all the rage after strolling home at Gowran.

NATIONAL SPIRIT HURDLE - Fontwell My Way De Solzen 2006 in the only horse to do the double. William Henry didn't come 2020. Another one who may have regretted it. Brewin'upastorm 2021 5th at Aintree. Last year Botox Has didn't come to Cheltenham.

34 from last 37 winners all 1^st or 2^nd in either of last two runs. Not Lisnagar Oscar, Cole Harden. Apart from Nichols Canyon (fell in Irish Champion Hurdle, everything since ’86 had finished in the first four last time out. All bar Lisnagar, Nichols and Cole of the last 18 were 1^st or 2nd last time out. All bar Nichols and Cole of the last 17 winners did not finish outside the first 2 in any completed hurdle run that season. Going to count Flooring Porter (first time) in that one even though he was only third at Galway in July. More Of That was unbeaten throughout career before this. (starting 15 months earlier with a 20/1 maiden hurdle win at the penultimate meeting ever held at Folkestone. We were there. Little did we think that we had witnessed a Stayers winner!)

Second season hurdlers - 17 of the last 27. Seven renewals were won by multiple winners after their first win. Nichols Canyon and Solwhit the first exceptions to this all since Anzum '99. Only 2 unplaced second season last year. Four from 15 in 2021, 6 from 15 in 2020, on both those occasions including the winner. Seven of the last nine were second-season hurdlers.

18 of last 22 had won that season (Not Flooring Porter last year, Lisnagar Oscar hadn't had a great season, Penhill and 2004, Iris’s Gift – one run 2^nd). Nichols Canyon had won the Morgiana. Cole Harden won the Wetherby G2 on Charlie Hall day.

Apart from Lisnagar Oscar (5) Penhill (0), last 20 winners' number of previous runs that season between 1 and 4. Paisley Park, Nichols Canyon and Cole Harden had 4. Thistlecrack and the nine previous winners back from Cole Harden had no more than 3 runs. Stopping Flooring Porter at 3 as I don't count the Galway Festival as this season. Two runs last year.

Fllooring Porter's second win was the 19th hurdle race of his career. Solwhit's win in 2013 was his 20th race over hurdles, Big Bucks' fourth win was his 29th, Inglis's third win was his 21st, Nichols Canyon's his 16th. Besides those, 17 of last 22 had between 6 and 17 runs over hurdles before this. Another exception was More Of That, only 4 previous runs. Big Bucks retired after 33 runs over hurdles. Flooring Porter had run in 14 hurdles in the space of 20 months before his first win. Lisnagar nine previous hurdles, Paisley Park eight, Penhill nine.

Rustle, Karshi, Trapper John, Inglis Drever all placed in previous year's Neptune Novice Hurdle before winning this. Cole Harden had finished 7th. N/A in 2016 though Nichols Canyon showed up a year later. Black Op 2nd to Samcro 2018, 13th here 2019. City Island couldn't jump fences, came here instead, PU. Nothing came from Envoi Allen 's win, Bob Olinger's rout or expected from Sir Gerhard's comfortable win.

Flooring Porter (first time), Lisnagar Oscar, Paisley Park, More Of That (Haydock 2m 4f Fixed Brush), Big Bucks (first time) and My Way De Solzen all ran in a handicap hurdle in the same season they won this. Flooring won the big 3m Navan h'cap in early December. Lisnagar and Paisley ran in the big Haydock November h'cap.

HEADGEAR - No headgear winners from 68 triers since Nomadic Way in 1992. Three last year, best Klassical Dream 5th. Seven in 2021, Sire du Berlais 2nd in blinkers he always wears, four first timers unplaced. Four ran in 2020, Ronald Pump, 2nd in his normal hood, three other first timers well down the field. Four ran in 2019, Sam Spinner carried out on shield in second, nothing else finished in first 12, 2018 had three, all unplaced. Seven in 2017, valiant effort by Lil Rockerfeller in 2nd. Only At Fishers Cross in the field in 2016 , his third attempt and PU. Four tried in 2015, Zarkandar 3rd.

HORSES IN FESTIVAL FORM - Paisley Park, Cole Harden and My Way de Solzen only ones of the last 23 not to have been placed (at least) in a Grade 1 hurdle in the previous year's Festival if given the chance (Solwhit injured in 2012 - no appearance). Lisnagar Oscar 3rd behind Champ at Aintree G1. Doran’s Pride as well, but he fell at the last when disputing second in the Sun Alliance Novice Hurdle. Thistlecrack went to Aintree after the Imperial Cup stroll and missed Cheltenham. Flooring Porter was running off a rating of 120, 12 months before his first win.

Of the 30 different winners since ’83 only Lisnagar Oscar (5th in the AB), Paisley Park, Cole Harden, Big Bucks, My Way De, Doran’s, Balasani and Shuil Ar Aghaidh had been unable to gain a place at the previous Festival when given the opportunity to do so. The latter pair had been unplaced in one of the handicap hurdles. Big Buck's was unplaced in the 2008 Jewson.

Four multiple winners this century but Flooring Porter first since Big Buck's in 2012.

The Relkeel was won by Camping Ground with Cole Harden well behind in 2015. Relkeel had been won in 2013 by More Of That before winning here. 2019 both Midnight Shadow from Wholestone out with the washing in March. Summerville Boy 5th 2020. Last two winners didn't come. Marie's Rock likely to go elsewhere.

Sam Spinner improved a lot on 5th in 2018 to finish 2nd in 2019 when young Colliver stretched them out a bit more. Can't find a winner of this who finished unplaced in it the previous year. I've gone back 30 years. Bacardys improved from 6th to 3rd in 2020. Home By The Lee, Klassical Dream

PRICE - Lisnagar Oscar 50s, (tote 84s, BSP 110s) Penhill 12s, Nichols Canyon 10s, Cole Harden biggest priced winner since 1999. More Of That 15/2 2014. Eight favourites have won this century but five of those were return winners. Only Paisley Park and Thistlecrack of the last ten after that string of wins from Big Buck's. Only 18 horses outside the first four in the betting have been placed since 2002. Paisley Park last year, Flooring Porter first time, first three home in 2020, Sam Spinner 33s 2019, Penhill and Wholestone in 3rd 2018, Lil Rockerfeller 33s, Bobs Worth 33s, Celestial Halo 40s, Smad Place 9s, Powerstation did it twice. Not a remarkable stat.

Flooring Porter (both times) and Cole Harden first frontrunners to be successful since Cyborgo in ’96. Limestone Lad placed in '02 giving his all behind the Fish (Baracouda) and Iris's Gift. Bog Warrior a gallant front running 5th in 2013.

TIMES: Fastest recent time was Bacchanal ‘00 in 5 mins 36 secs on good to firm followed by My Way De Solzen in 5.38. Cole Harden 5mins 41 the same time as Call The Cops in the Pertemps. Flooring Porter was round in 5 58 last year, one second slower than the Pertemps, 5 52 in 2021 , nine seconds faster than Mrs Milner and she carried 15lbs less. Lisnagar Oscar was round in 6 03, a good three seconds slower than Sire du Berlais a little bit earlier, who was carrying 2lbs less. Paisley Park in 5 54 soft one second slower than Sire De Berlais an hour earlier. Penhill 6 20 in slow ground, 10 seconds slower than Delta Work earlier. Nichols Canyon 5 50, the same as Presenting Percy slightly earlier. Thistlecrack 5 43, 6 secs faster than Mall Dini earlier. Iris Gift did it in 5.49, the Fish in ’03 was 5.41. More Of That 5 49 was again the same time as the earlier h'cap.

Solwhit's 2013 Stayers Hurdle win was timed at 6 minutes 25 secs on officially good to soft ground. This was a full 25 secs slower than Holywell's win in the earlier handicap hurdle and the latter carried only 6lb less.

Times for the 3 mile novice hurdle run on the next day. Black Jack Ketchum 5.38 (same time as that years Stayers) and Witchita Lineman in 5.43 which was three seconds faster than his elders. Very Wood 5.50 in 2014. 2015 Martello Tower 6 mins dead after overnight rain. 2016 Unowhatimeanharry 5 mins 48 secs. 2017 Penhill in 5.50, the same as Nichols Canyon and Percy. Spooky. Novices carry 5 lb less. Kilbricken Storm 2018 was 6 mins 14 sec after Fabulous Saga tried to stretch them out. 2019 Minella Indo was 4 seconds slower. 2020 Monkfish's time was a good 5 seconds faster than the Stayers. 2021 Flooring Porter 10 secs faster than Vanillier. The Nice Guy was 5 secs faster than the Stayers last year.

BY KIND PERMISSION - SIMON ROWLANDS SECTIONAL ANALYSIS - ATR

https://cheltenham.attheraces.com/features/sectional-spotlight/stayers'-hurdle  

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