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2026 Stayers Hurdle

He mentioned the stayers and going hurdling multiple times last week. It’s a weak division, and there’s plenty of opportunities (bar ground, so likley spring) for him to tally up more prize money

66/1 each way, I’m on
Yes agree, thanks for highlighting the 66s which is a price I'm happy to take.
No stand out stayer, Wodhooh more likely to head to the Mares now they've switched course, Jasmin out, the usual suspects a year older, he looks a solid option and I'm surprised at the price available given those quoted ahead of him (East India Dock, FInal Demand, Jimmy de Seuil, Majborough, Salvator Mundi) are a million to run here...
 
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I just can’t see past the first two from last season filling the positions again, not necessarily in same order.
 
I just can’t see past the first two from last season filling the positions again, not necessarily in same order.
I backed teahupoo straight after the race, more out of hope than anything else. There may well be another lurker again this year though! You still think good old bob will be the same force a year older without Rachel on board?
 
I backed teahupoo straight after the race, more out of hope than anything else. There may well be another lurker again this year though! You still think good old bob will be the same force a year older without Rachel on board?
3rd and 4th have gone novice chasing. Only the soured ballyburn a possible. The yellow clay I’m not so sure staying hurdling.
 
Stablemates Wodhooh and Teahupoo will wait for the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse rather than run in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan.
 
The Yellow Clay to start off in Lismullen Hurdle over 2 1/2m
 
Hmm. Just not sure. Still can’t see past first 2 in last season’s renewal
 
Interesting (if that's the word?) what Ruby has to say about Ballyburn.......

Asked whether Ballyburn can be a contender for the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, Walsh said: “No — I still think I wouldn’t give up on him over fences either.

“He can be a fraction careful, but I’d have thought let him find his feet, I think he’d improve and I think being let gallop will let him settle down as well.

“Maybe he’ll go Hatton’s Grace, end up maybe at the Aintree Hurdle. I’d say he’s at a bit of a crossroads and probably best watched for a while to tell you the truth.

“He definitely won’t, I won’t say definitely because Willie could do anything, but I’d be shocked if he ran in a handicap chase first time up, not saying he wouldn’t get to a handicap chase by the end of the year.”
 
If Haiti Coleurs does fall short of Gold Cup material, the way he travelled and jumped today you'd think he'd have every chance being competitive in an open looking Stayers.
 
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Something pointed out by Matt Tombs on twitter earlier today, Honesty Policy got an entry in the Hattons Grace but not the Drinmore (Elliot entered BDA and Wingmen who are both unraced over fences) suggesting a hurdles campaign may be more likely.

Has a profile I like for a stayers hurdle horse and came on quickly last season. Just touched off by Jasmin De Vaux at Punchestown who was close favouritism for this, while Honesty Policy is currently 25/1 with a number of firms, partly due to the uncertainty over target I assume.

Given the open look to the division and looking at the current horses priced shorter, he looks decent value. I would probably have him in and around the price of Bob Olinger.
 
Interesting (if that's the word?) what Ruby has to say about Ballyburn.......

Asked whether Ballyburn can be a contender for the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, Walsh said: “No — I still think I wouldn’t give up on him over fences either.

“He can be a fraction careful, but I’d have thought let him find his feet, I think he’d improve and I think being let gallop will let him settle down as well.

“Maybe he’ll go Hatton’s Grace, end up maybe at the Aintree Hurdle. I’d say he’s at a bit of a crossroads and probably best watched for a while to tell you the truth.

“He definitely won’t, I won’t say definitely because Willie could do anything, but I’d be shocked if he ran in a handicap chase first time up, not saying he wouldn’t get to a handicap chase by the end of the year.”
So he’s not a Stayers contender even though he is second fav!…..wow

As for the rest of the diatribe……..translation needed please as it’s as clear as mud!😳
 
Is The Yellow Clay not sticking out like a sore thumb for this?!! So much dead wood in here, race is ripe for a new upcoming horse to stake a claim as the new Sherriff in the 3m hurdle division.
 
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Is The Yellow Clay not sticking out like a sore thumb for this?!! So much dead wood in here, race is ripe for a new upcoming horse to stake a claim as the new Sherriff in the 3m hurdle division.
Yes and no. I think like a few said, he could be a mid trip specialist.
 

Bob Olinger

He's great. He was brilliant in winning the Stayers’ Hurdle in March. He did a lot of his conditioning with Robbie Power, and he seems to be in great form. Everyone seems to be happy with him. He’ll start off this season around Christmas, and we'll aim for the Stayers’ Hurdle with him again.