Cheltenham Festival: Everything you need to know about the 2024 Stayers Hurdle

The Stayers Hurdle is one of the oldest races at the Cheltenham Festival, first run in 1912, it is the championship race for long-distance hurdlers.

The race is not dominated particularly by one trainer, with Paul Nicholls leading the way in terms of wins with four - each one coming in Big Buck’s quadruple run from 2009 to 2012. 

When is it? 

The race has a scheduled start time of 3.30pm on March 14, 2024. 

How can I watch?

The race will be broadcast live on ITV and Racing TV, you will also be able to stream it through the SBK app.

The Runners

Teahupoo - 3.55
Crambo - 6.8
Irish Point - 6.8
Noble Yeats - 8.0
Sir Gerhard - 8.2 
Flooring Porter - 9.4
Home By The Lee - 13.5
Monkfish - 14.0
Paisley Park - 14.5
Sire Du Berlais - 17.5
36.0 - BAR

Who should you back?

This race isn’t always an easy read for punters. Sire Du Berlais was the winner last year coming in at a price of 34.0 and in 2020 Lisnager Oscar brought it home at 51.0.

The favourite hasn't actually won this race since 2019, so one could be due. 

Age is a pretty big factor in this race with only six horses aged nine or older winning since 1972. From the top of the market that would make it difficult to back Noble Yeats, Sir Gerhard, Flooring Porter, Monkfish, Paisley Park and Sire Du Berlais.

When looking at previous form a good place to start is the Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle, this race has produced the last three festival winners. Irish Point was this season’s winner, currently 6.8 to win the Stayers.

17 of the last 20 winners have also finished first or second in their last race before the Stayers. This would appear to rule out the last two winners of this race, Flooring Porter and Sire Du Berlais. 

Verdict:

For me, I think Irish Point is worth a shot at 6.8. While Teahupoo’s form is impressive, Sire Du Berlais was the first horse since 2004 to win this race having been beaten in it previously and Teahupoo finished third last year. Also, on the last two occasions Teahupoo has run over this trip he has finished outside the front two. 

Irish Point is one from one over the three mile trip and an 11 length win in the Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle implied he had some stamina still in hand.