Date: Thursday 13th March 2025
The Stayers’ Hurdle continues to be one of the more structured races at the Festival, with clear patterns emerging around age, ratings and stamina.
Seven-year-olds remain the standout group in recent renewals, while a rating of 152 or higher and proven form over three miles look essential. Cheltenham experience is also a major factor, with very few winners lacking previous course form.
However, one of the more interesting angles in recent years is the performance of runners finishing third or fourth last time out. Those horses have consistently outperformed expectations and often represent better value than the more obvious last-time-out winners.
These are the three that come out strongest on the Turf Talk figures.
TURF TALK RATINGS - LEADING CONTENDERS
| Horse | Turf Talk Rating |
|---|---|
| Buddy One | 224 |
| Teahupoo | 222 |
| Home By The Lee | 217 |
| Flooring Porter | 210 |
| Sire Du Berlais | 204 |
The ratings highlight a mix of proven class and potential value angles, with several runners closely matched on the key trends.
MAIN SELECTION
Buddy One (10/1 available)
He comes out marginally on top once the key trends are applied and looks to have been slightly underestimated in the market.
His profile fits the stronger recent patterns, particularly the last time out angle, and he has already shown he stays the trip well. In a race where timing and progression are often more important than outright dominance, he looks a strong contender.
BACKUP SELECTION 1
Teahupoo (2/1 available)
The class horse in the race and the one the market is likely to focus on.
He ticks many of the major boxes and has already shown he can perform at this level over this trip. However, at shorter odds he does not offer quite the same value as others with slightly less exposed profiles.
BACKUP SELECTION 2
Home By The Lee (6/1 available)
A consistent performer who fits many of the core requirements for this race.
He has the right level of experience and proven stamina, and while perhaps lacking the same scope for improvement as some rivals, he looks likely to run his race and be competitive.
SUMMARY
Buddy One appeals most as a value option based on recent trends, with Teahupoo the obvious class angle and Home By The Lee a solid alternative in a race that often rewards the right profile rather than simply the strongest recent form.
