With few obstacles now standing between today and the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, the betting markets for the big races are now taking a consistent shape. Here, in our latest Road to the Stayers’ Hurdle, we review the very latest market moves and preview the main contenders as they are likely to line up in March…
Sunday, 9th February – Boyne Hurdle @ Navan
This was the day for Maxxum, who had flattered to deceive on his first Graded assignment over 3m, but made no mistake in this winnable opportunity on Sunday. Gordon Elliott enjoyed success throughout the card, and his eight-year-old, who had been prolific in staying hurdle handicaps, was well-supported before securing a four-length success over former Boyne hurdle winner Thedeveilscoachman.
Maxxum’s success could not be considered a statement for two reasons: for one, none of his six rivals in Sunday’s race are even entered in the Stayers’ Hurdle, and two, he is the stablemate not only of the clear favourite in Teahupoo, but also The Wallpark, who would likely be the second string for Elliott in the Thursday showpiece. Nevertheless, having been as high as 66/1 for the Stayers’ pre-race, Maxxum is now 33/1 with SkyBet on Non Runner Money Back (NRMB) terms and could play his part each-way.
Leading Contenders
Teahupoo
Not a horse who needs consistent racing throughout the season, Teahupoo was always going to come to Cheltenham a fresh horse. Beaten by Lossiemouth in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle in December, that race did not end up playing to his strengths, but as a decisive winner of this race a year ago, he is understandably well-fancied to defend his title. He is generally odds-on with those offering NRMB markets, though Betfair go a standout 11/10 for him to win back-to-back renewals without those terms. The only thing which will stop him appearing in this race would be injury.
Home By The Lee
Form figures of 653 in the past three Stayers’ Hurdles hint to Home By The Lee’s steady improvement throughout his career. The biggest losing margin in that time was 7½ lengths, so he has always been on the premises and his form this season is superior to any before as he coasted to success in Leopardstown’s Christmas Hurdle in December. 13/2 is the standout price with Betfair on traditional ante-post terms and he may well have more of a say than ever this time around.
Lucky Place
He would not obviously be among the class acts in Nicky Henderson’s stable, but Lucky Place has earned his position in the Stayers’ Hurdle reckoning this term. He kept running well despite the Henderson yard’s dire spring last term and is two from two this season, both at Grade 2 level. His latest success saw him win the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham over 2m4½f, form which has been franked, and layers go 8/1 on him with NRMB terms, with 9s available on Betfair.
The Wallpark
Also prominent in the betting for the Pertemps Final earlier on the Thursday card, The Wallpark was purchased by JP McManus ahead of his fourth-placed effort in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot. That form alone has taken some heavy knocks, but he was a significant eye-catcher and has proven Cheltenham form too. He is available at 12/1 almost across the board, and with his owner potentially having other darts to throw at the handicap, this could well be the race he takes part in.
Rocky’s Diamond
Very much the young pretender in the entries for this contest, Rocky’s Diamond has emerged totally form left field with a distinct chance of shaking things up in the Stayers’ Hurdle. He would not have stood out within the top 50 juvenile hurdlers last term, but a handicap success at Gowran Park over 3m, followed by a placed effort in the Christmas Hurdle at 66/1 and a win in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle back at Gowran, have likely sparked hopes of an upset. 16/1 is the best price available to back the five-year-old at.
Stayers’ Hurdle Ante-Post Movers
Maxxum ↑ 33/1 from 66/1
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.