Tag Archive for: Stayers Hurdle

Kennedy offers no excuses for Teahupoo eclipse

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Jack Kennedy made no excuses for Teahupoo after he relinquished his title in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The bay, who is trained by Gordon Elliott, was one of two horses in the race to run in the white, pink and black silks of owners Robour.

The other was Bob Olinger, who was an 8-1 chance as Teahupoo headed the market as the 7-4 favourite in his bid to regain the trophy.

The former horse, a 10-year-old, rolled back the years under Rachael Blackmore to relegate Teahupoo to second place ahead of stablemate The Wallpark, meaning Elliott’s wait for a first winner of the meeting continued.

“No excuse, really. Maybe if the ground was a shade slower it would have taken the sting out of the other lad a little bit, but no excuse,” Kennedy said of the run.

“I was probably left (in front) a little bit early, but he’s a genuine horse who would gallop away in front there.

“I sort of knew Rachael was going fairly well – well, I knew there was something beside me, I didn’t know exactly what it was.

“Bob Olinger is a horse with loads of ability and he’s just put it all together today.”

Elliott added: “Teahupoo ran a blinder, the quicker ground beat him I’d say but otherwise I was very happy.

“I’d say next year we won’t be leaving him the whole year for the one race.

“The Wallpark ran an absolute blinder and I’m delighted with him.”

Declan Queally’s Rocky’s Diamond was fourth at 28-1 under Shane Fitzgerald, a run his trainer was incredibly proud of.

He said: “He’s so genuine, I’m thrilled with him.

“Shane said he couldn’t believe how strong he hit the line, it was unreal.

“I’m just delighted with him, we’ve a lot to look forward to.”

Elliott backing Tea for two Stayers’ Hurdle victories

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Gordon Elliott is confident Teahupoo is better than ever ahead of his defence of the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle on day three of the Cheltenham Festival.

The eight-year-old came home three and three-quarter lengths clear of Flooring Porter at Prestbury Park last year and followed that up with another Grade One success when landing the Punchestown Festival equivalent six weeks later.

He enjoyed a 213-day break after that double and on his reappearance in December was beaten into second by Lossiemouth in Fairyhouse’s Hatton’s Grace Hurdle – a race in which he had edged out Impaire Et Passe by a length a year previously.

Elliott said: “He’s been brilliant and I think his form going into the race this year is probably better than last year – getting beat by Lossiemouth I think is better form than just beating Impaire Et Passe the year before.

“The race wasn’t really run to suit him in Fairyhouse this year, the tempo of the race and giving 7lb to Lossiemouth. I felt it was a better run than the previous year myself.

“It is a bit frustrating not to be running him more often as I like to get my horses out and let people see them, but I suppose when you’re running over that distance, you kind of have to pick and choose your battles. And when you did it last year and it worked, why would you break it?”

Teahupoo’s stablemate The Wallpark is another Elliott fancies to get in the money.

The seven-year-old reeled off four straight victories last year, which included beating Gowel Road into second place at Cheltenham in October.

He finished fourth behind Crambo last time out at Ascot in the Long Walk Hurdle just before Christmas and Elliott said: “I honestly think he’s got a big each-way chance.

“I think he’ll love the track and a fast gallop will suit him. If you watch him in Ascot the last day, he’ll have learned a lot as it was his first run in a Grade One and the best bit of it was from the last to the line.

“To win the Stayers’ Hurdle, there’s a lot of running from the second-last to the line and if he got rolling, he wouldn’t be out of it.”

Home By The Lee was third behind Teahupoo at both Cheltenham and Punchestown last season and after two wins over the winter, Joseph O’Brien said: “He has looked as good as ever this year and I think his run the last day is right up there with some of his career-best efforts.

“We’re excited to go back. He’s been a fantastic servant to his owners and he’s not finished yet.”

Nicky Henderson’s Lucky Place has won both his starts this season, including getting the better of Gowel Road in the Relkeel Hurdle last time out.

Henderson said: “He’s been very good over two-mile-five at both Ascot and Cheltenham and he’s just improving. He finished fourth in the Coral Cup last year as a novice and he was about the only horse of mine that even ran a race at Cheltenham last year. I’m hopeful, but it is going to be tough.”

Gowel Road will look to follow up on his win in the Cleeve Hurdle and assistant trainer Willy Twiston-Davies said: “He looks in good form and he’s Mr Consistency around Cheltenham.

“It seems silly to rule him out, but whether he has the class to win at his age and having been beaten in handicaps, we will see. If he could place, it would be fantastic – and anything better, then brilliant.”

Bob Olinger is twice a Festival winner and will as ever be partnered by Rachael Blackmore for Henry de Bromhead, with the 10-year-old looking to break a sequence of four runner-up finishes.

De Bromhead said: “Bob Olinger ran really well at Christmas and was just beaten by a better horse on the day (Home By The Lee). I thought we’d beat him after Navan and I was disappointed, but that’s it.

“He’s got a great record around Cheltenham and has been aimed towards the spring, so he should be really fresh and well.”

Teahupoo tops 20 in the hunt for Stayers’ Hurdle honours

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Defending champion Teahupoo heads a list of 20 remaining entries in Thursday’s Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham as he looks to join an illustrious list of multiple winners.

Big Buck’s leads the way with four wins in the three-mile Grade One, Inglis Drever claimed three victories and the likes of Crimson Embers, Galmoy, Baracouda and Flooring Porter did not stop at one success.

Teahupoo powered up the Prestbury Park hill to deny Flooring Porter 12 months ago and followed up with an equally dominant display at the Punchestown Festival.

This season, he has again had just a solitary previous outing, when finishing second to Lossiemouth in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse at the start of December.

His trainer Gordon Elliott, who also struck with Sire Du Berlais in 2023, is set to field another fancied runner in The Wallpark, who was bought by JP McManus before his run of four straight wins ended with fourth place in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.

Crambo retained his title that day by edging out Hiddenvalley Lake but Fergal O’Brien’s charge must now prove he can handle the undulations of Cheltenham, having finished ninth here last year and a well-beaten fifth of six in the Cleeve Hurdle.

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Gowel Road and the Paul Nicholls-trained Monmiral finished ahead of Crambo here on Trials Day and are in line to reoppose.

Nicky Henderson claimed this prize with Rustle in 1989 and Bacchanal in 2000 and will try to add to his tally with Lucky Place, who was fourth in the Coral Cup as a novice last season and has made good progress this term.

He steps up in trip after picking up Grade Two wins in the Ascot Hurdle and the Relkeel at this course, getting the better of Gowel Road here on New Year’s Day.

Joseph O’Brien’s Home By The Lee was third behind Teahupoo at Cheltenham and Punchestown last year but is unbeaten this winter, scoring at Navan and in the Grade One Savills Hurdle at Leopardstown, with Bob Olinger back in second on both occasions.

Dan Skelton is hoping the Cheltenham Festival can again bring out the best in dual Coral Cup winner Langer Dan after a disappointing campaign so far.

Ladbrokes ambassador Skelton said: “The thing that people ask me most in the build-up to the festival is ‘how’s Langer Dan?’.

“He’s got his own following for a lot of reasons. But, yeah, people who know their racing, that’s the first thing they ask me around Cheltenham – which is quite entertaining really.

“I wish he knew that everyone was so interested in him…he might start showing a bit more! We’ll see; hopefully he comes alive next week, as he normally does, but with his work at home, we just have to trust him.”

Last year’s Supreme runner-up Mystical Power, who went on to secure Grade One success at Aintree and Punchestown as a novice but has flopped twice this term, could represent Willie Mullins, along with outsider Winter Fog.

Galmoy Hurdle winner Rocky’s Diamond is still engaged for Declan Queally, along with Kerry Lee’s Nemean Lion, who completed a hat-trick this term with a gutsy strike in the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell.

Stayers’ Hurdle draws high-class field of 13

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Dual winner Flooring Porter, Grand National hero Noble Yeats and previous Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle victors Paisley Park and Sire Du Berlais are all set to line up in this year’s race.

Fergal O’Brien’s Long Walk winner Crambo, the Gordon Elliott-trained Teahupoo and the enigmatic duo of Asterion Forlonge and Champ have also been declared for what appears a fascinating renewal of the three-mile contest.

A total of 13 have been declared, with Willie Mullins’ Sir Gerhard another big player along with Dashel Drasher and Home By The Lee.

Janadil and Buddy One have also been declared.

Last year’s winner Envoi Allen leads 11 in the Ryanair Chase for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned 10-year-old has not run since November but has a habit of reserving his best for the Festival.

Paul Nicholls’ Stage Star needs to bounce back from a poor run on New Year’s Day but previously won the Paddy Power Chase under top weight. Stablemate Hitman also runs.

Dan Skelton’s Protektorat drops back in trip having had a crack at the Gold Cup for the last two years, Elliott runs Conflated and Fil Dor while Willie Mullins is represented by Capodanno.

The one horse who will not be suited by Tuesday’s rain is Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge, who was a non-runner at the Festival last year when the ground went soft.

Ahoy Senor, Fugitif and the supplemented Ga Law make up the field.

The third Grade One on the card is the Turners Novices’ Chase in which an open field of 11 has been declared.

Ginny’s Destiny is gaining a reputation as a course specialist while Grey Dawning, Iroko and Gary Moore’s Le Patron all feature in a strong home team.

Facile Vega will be looking to redeem his reputation for Mullins who also runs Sharjah.

Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead carries plenty of stable confidence in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle where she will face the promising Jade De Grugy and Dysart Enos.

A full field of 24 will go to post in the Pertemps Network Final in which Farouk D’Alene is top weight.

There are 21 in the Trustatrader Plate, in which Jonjo O’Neill’s Crebilly is well fancied while Angels Dawn will bid for back-to-back wins in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase

Ga Law team roll the dice in search of Ryanair spoils

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Jamie Snowden is excited to see Ga Law strut his stuff at the Cheltenham Festival after connections paid the required supplementary fee to add him to Thursday’s Ryanair Chase.

The eight-year-old is a dual winner over fences at Prestbury Park, landing last season’s Paddy Power Gold Cup and another lucrative handicap on his most recent visit in late January.

Ga Law was not beaten when fifth behind Envoi Allen in last year’s Ryanair and as Snowden feels he is in a better place mentally and physically this time around, he was added to the field at Friday’s confirmation stage at a cost of £15,000.

“The original entries for the Ryanair came out before Trials day at Cheltenham in January and he was very impressive that day, winning off a big weight. The handicapper has now put up to a point where it makes sense to have a crack at this,” said the trainer.

“We were fifth in the Ryanair last year when we were perhaps not in the same sort of form that we’re in now. We obviously won the Paddy Power that winter, but we took a nasty fall in the Sky Bet Chase and he probably wasn’t in the same kind of form that he’s in now 12 months ago and he still ran a belter.

“We do feel he’s in far better order now and hopefully he can go a few places better.

“Obviously Envoi Allen won it last year and the reports are that he’s in great order this time around as well. It certainly looks a competitive race, but forgetting the opposition, we hope that we’re coming into it in far better form than we did last year.”

Envoi Allen and Rachael Blackmore will bid for back-to-back Ryanair Chase victories
Envoi Allen and Rachael Blackmore will bid for back-to-back Ryanair Chase victories (Mike Egerton/PA)

Ga Law and Envoi Allen are among 12 horses in contention for the Ryanair, with Banbridge, Star Star and Capodanno also among the leading contenders.

Willie Mullins has confirmed El Fabiolo for the two-mile-five-furlong contest, but he is expected to line up as a hot favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase the previous afternoon.

The other feature on day three of the Festival is the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, with Gordon Elliott’s ante-post favourite Teahupoo one of 18 confirmations.

Elliott has also left in Irish Point, but has raised the possibility of him being switched to Tuesday’s Champion Hurdle, while Flooring Porter is on course to bid for a third Stayers’ Hurdle after his trainer Gavin Cromwell confirmed his intention to switch his stable star back to the smaller obstacles.

Flooring Porter is back for another Stayers' Hurdle
Flooring Porter is back for another Stayers’ Hurdle (Mike Egerton/PA)

Grand National hero Noble Yeats (Emmet Mullins) is another major challenger from Ireland, while the home team includes 2019 Stayers’ Hurdle hero Paisley Park (Emma Lavelle) and his Long Walk conqueror Crambo (Fergal O’Brien).

Grey Dawning (Dan Skelton), Ginny’s Destiny (Paul Nicholls) and Iroko (Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero) are the three chief British-trained contenders for the opening Turners Novices’ Chase, with Willie Mullins leaving in Facile Vega, Gaelic Warrior, Il Etait Temps and Sharjah.

The Ryanair Mares Novices’ Hurdle, meanwhile, promises to be one of the races of the week, with Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead, the Mullins-trained Jade De Grugy and O’Brien’s Dysart Enos all set to put their unbeaten records over obstacles on the line.

Lavelle looking to Paisley Park to roll back the years

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Emma Lavelle says it would be “pretty cool” if Paisley Park manages to get his head in front in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle next month.

The popular 12-year-old will be running in the race for an incredible sixth time, and it will be his seventh appearance in all at the Festival. He won the race back in 2019 and finished third behind Flooring Porter in both 2021 and 2022.

While his career looked to be coming to an end when unplaced last year, he has been beaten in three tight finishes this term, including when narrowly denied by Crambo, one of the favourites for the Stayers’, in bidding for a remarkable fourth win in Ascot’s Long Walk Hurdle.

Crambo (right) just got the better of Paisley Park in the Long Walk
Crambo (right) just got the better of Paisley Park in the Long Walk (Steven Paston/PA)

“Touch wood he’s in great form, he had an easy week after the Cleeve and he’s back cantering away now,” said Lavelle.

“He’s had a little stride along the last couple of days and he thinks he’s King Kong, which I suppose is a good thing!

“There’s been nothing between him and Crambo or him and Noble Yeats who we had to give 6lb to (in the Cleeve Hurdle), and they are much shorter than him in the betting.

“There’s a lot of horses we’ve come up against already that are in the race and there are a few new ones, but if he brings his A-game, you’d have to hope he’d be in the shake up anyway.

“We love him to bits, but he doesn’t half put you through the ringer! He builds you up then sometimes he thinks ‘OK’, then sometimes he just thinks ‘nah, it’s not working for me today’. He’s extraordinary.”

She went on: “People say to me ‘will this be his last run at Cheltenham?’, but at the end of the day only he will decide. Look at where we were after the Stayers’ last year, it’s hard to believe he’s had three runs in two Grade Twos and a Grade One and and the combined distance he’s been beaten is less than a neck.

“Some of the horses he’s running against weren’t even born when he won his first Long Walk, like Paul Nicholls’ (Blueking D’Oroux), it’s ridiculous.

“If he was to win it would be pretty cool, but that’s his problem at the moment, he’s going racing and everyone is cheering him and telling him they love him so he thinks he’s won, we have to remind him he’s finished second!”

National hero Noble Yeats has Stayers’ Hurdle in his sights

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Emmet Mullins insists the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle is more than just a stepping stone to the Randox Grand National for Noble Yeats.

The nine-year-old was the Aintree hero in 2022 but finished fourth last year when saddled with 11st 11lb in the four-and-a-quarter-mile contest, a 19lb higher mark than the previous year.

Noble Yeats prepped for that title defence by finishing a distant fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and went on to run down the field in the Grand Steeplechase de Paris, leading to a later start to his campaign and a Stayers’ Hurdle bid.

Beaten as an odds-on favourite on his seasonal bow, Noble Yeats roared back to form when edging out the ever-popular Paisley Park in a thrilling finish to the Cleeve Hurdle and Mullins believes that result puts him right in the mix for top honours at the Festival.

Noble Yeats with connections after his Cleeve Hurdle win
Noble Yeats with connections after his Cleeve Hurdle win (Nigel French/PA)

He said: “He’s bouncing – he definitely improved a lot from the first time up at Limerick at Christmas. He would have needed that plenty and he definitely improved between then and the Cleeve Hurdle, hopefully he should come on again.

“That was always the plan. He was late back into training as we had such a big campaign last spring and I said to Robert (Waley-Cohen, owner) back in October, we had been put in our place in the Gold Cup last year and I couldn’t see a way past those horses this time around, so we changed direction.

“I’m not saying he’s going to win the Stayers’ Hurdle either but I think he could run a good race in it. I suppose Gordon’s (Elliott) horses are still unexposed, I thought Irish Point was impressive stepping up at Christmas.”

While Aintree in April is likely his ultimate aim, Mullins is not compromising on his preparations for the Stayers’.

He added: “It’s a target in it’s own right. It definitely won’t be as demanding a race as the Gold Cup but we’re definitely training for the Stayers’ as a race in it’s own right.

“I think we were quietly confident going into the Cleeve, and I said to Robert that if we didn’t lay down a marker we’d not deserve our spot in the race, so it was good to see that he did.”

Corbetts Cross holds a clutch of novice chase entries at the Festival but his build up suffered a blow when taking a fall at Fairyhouse last week.

Mullins pointed out Corbetts Cross is the only National Hunt Chase entry for owner JP McManus, but he is unsure how much a mark that tumble has left.

He said: “He seems none the worse for the race so it’s just taking it one day at a time. Physically he looks OK and I suppose we will take our time and we won’t be schooling him for another bit of time – fingers crossed there’s no lasting damage done.

“I can’t really say (if it will be too tight for Cheltenham) without schooling him. He’s a very versatile horse. He has form beating Found A Fifty over a mile and seven in Naas last year and he has form winning over three miles. We will just keep all options open for now.

“He’s got a high quality cruising speed, so if his jumping stands up to it he can always come back in trip a bit.

“He was JP’s only entry in the National Hunt Chase, so I think he’s keen enough on going there.”

Mullins ranks So Scottish among his possible handicap contenders, expecting to travel “four or five” but Leopardstown bumper winner Jeroboam Machin will not be among them after suffering a season-ending injury.

The trainer has the distinction of having ridden a Festival winner in 2011 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle victor Sir Des Champs and saddled a victor in The Shunter, winner of the 2021 Plate at a meeting run without spectators during the pandemic.

Mullins added: “It’s a special place. Training the winner was during Covid so there was no one there but it still hit home on the day. I got a big kick out of it even though there was no crowd there.”

Flooring Porter takes on 10 rivals in Stayers’ hat-trick bid

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Gavin Cromwell’s Flooring Porter will face 10 rivals as he bids to win the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on Thursday for the third time.

He has already joined the likes of Galmoy and Baracouda as a dual victor in the race and a third triumph would emulate Inglis Drever, although the indomitable Big Buck’s stands alone having won the race four times.

Flooring Porter has suffered an interrupted preparation this year but Cromwell has been pleased with his progress in recent weeks.

Winning connections celebrating Flooring Porter's success in the World Hurdle last year
Winning connections celebrating Flooring Porter’s success in the World Hurdle last year (Steven Paston/PA)

Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo is one of the young pretenders aiming to take his crown.

He caused a shock when downing Honeysuckle in the Hatton’s Grace and then proved his stamina in the Galmoy Hurdle.

Joseph O’Brien’s Home By The Lee was sixth in the race 12 months ago and has improved this term to win the Lismullen Hurdle and Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Blazing Khal is unbeaten in his last five races and returned from a mammoth absence to win on his only outing this season in the Boyne Hurdle, but trainer Charles Byrnes has endured a difficult time with him since that Navan run last month.

Klassical Dream faded into fifth when beaten favourite in this race last year and is another who has not enjoyed a straightforward preparation.

Sire Du Berlais and Ashdale Bob also represent Ireland.

The home team is consists of just two, previous winner Paisley Park and Jeremy Scott’s Dashel Drasher.

Dashel Drasher was second in the Cleeve Hurdle to Gold Tweet, who is trained in France by Gabriel Leenders. He has been supplemented along with fellow French challenger Henri Le Farceur.

Blazing Khal given go-ahead for Stayers’ Hurdle challenge

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Charles Byrnes has given Blazing Khal the go-ahead for the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on Thursday.

The seven-year-old won back-to-back Grade Two novice prizes at Prestbury Park in the autumn of 2021, but missed the rest of the season through injury and did not ultimately not return for 14 months.

An impressive comeback in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan in mid-February catapulted Blazing Khal to the head of the Stayers’ Hurdle market, but Byrnes later revealed his stable star had returned with a “a few bits of nicks” that required treatment.

However, while his preparation has clearly not been ideal, Byrnes confirmed Blazing Khal will take his chance in a race the County Limerick handler won with Solwhit 10 years ago.

He said on Friday: “He worked at the Curragh earlier this week. We decided against taking him back there today as we felt it would be counter-productive.

“But I had a chat with the owner this morning and we decided we’re going to run him.”

Blazing Khal is set to lead a small but select team of five Festival runners for Byrnes along with Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle contender Byker, Coral Cup hopeful Run For Oscar, Pertemps Final favourite Shoot First and Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle runner Grozni.

Trainer Charles Byrnes (right) after winning the Stayers' Hurdle with Solwhit
Trainer Charles Byrnes (right) after winning the Stayers’ Hurdle with Solwhit (David Davies/PA)

“I’m bringing five and it looks a nice team,” the trainer added.

“The preparation for all the rest of them has gone very well.

“Soft ground would inconvenience Run For Oscar more so than any of them, I would say, but I’d say it won’t be too bad.”

Blazing Khal is one of 15 horses in Stayers’ Hurdle contention following Friday’s confirmation stage, with France’s Cleeve Hurdle winner Gold Tweet and his compatriot Henri Le Farceur both supplemented at a cost of just under £15,000.

Flooring Porter on his way to winning last year's Stayers' Hurdle
Flooring Porter on his way to winning last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle (Steven Paston/PA)

Flooring Porter will bid for a third successive victory in the race for Gavin Cromwell, Gordon Elliott is set to be represented by Teahupoo and Sire Du Berlais and Willie Mullins still has three in the mix, with Asterion Forlonge, Klassical Dream and Sharjah all standing their ground.

Marie’s Rock is a leading contender for Nicky Henderson, with connections planning to make a late call on whether she will run in Tuesday’s Mares’ Hurdle or take on the boys two days later.

Ashdale Bob (Jessica Harrington), Beacon Edge (Noel Meade), Dashel Drasher (Jeremy Scott), Home By The Lee (Jessica Harrington) and Paisley Park (Emma Lavelle) complete the acceptors.

‘No firm decision’ as connections of Marie’s Rock weigh up Festival choice

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Connections of Marie’s Rock are still no nearer to determining whether she will defend her Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle or instead attempt to land the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham next week.

The Nicky Henderson-trained eight-year-old made a sparkling return to action, winning the Relkeel Hurdle on New Year’s Day, having not run since taking a second successive Grade One victory in the Mares’ Champion Hurdle at Punchestown last April.

The Middleham Park Racing-owned mare will be seeking a fifth consecutive victory regardless of which race she contests.

She is a general 3-1 joint second-favourite behind Honeysuckle for the two-and-a-half-mile Mares’ Hurdle on Tuesday and a general 7-2 second-favourite for Thursday’s three-mile Stayers’ Hurdle.

Middleham Park racing manager Tom Palin said the weather will play a major part in their decision.

He said: “There are no firm plans, I’m afraid. I know Nicky is championing the Stayers’ but in our conversations, there isn’t a firm decision.

“He wouldn’t be solely in the Stayers’ camp, nor am I solely in the Mares’ camp.

“I think I’d be right in saying neither of us would want to try her over three miles on the testing course at Cheltenham in soft ground.

“We do need to see just what the weather does and that is obviously very unsettled at the moment.”

Blazing Khal has headed the Stayers’ Hurdle market since winning the Boyne Hurdle at Navan last month, on his first start in 14 months.

However, he subsequently suffered a setback and trainer Charles Byrne will give him a final piece of work on Friday before determining whether or not he will take his chance.

“Blazing Khal has a date with destiny tomorrow by all accounts, so that is something to factor in,” added Palin.

“If the Stayers’ Hurdle favourite isn’t in the race tomorrow afternoon, that is something sizable to take in. There is nothing set in stone.

“We will probably make the decision at 9.50am on Sunday. If there hadn’t been any rain around and Blazing Khal was out, I would say that would have a very, very big swing on where we go, I would imagine.

“But it doesn’t look like it will be guaranteed good ground at this point.”

Henderson also has the JP McManus-owned Epatante – who was overturned by Marie’s Rock when odds-on favourite at Punchestown – entered in the Mares’ Hurdle.

Potentially the race registered at the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle is one the most competitive events of the four-day meeting.

Nicky Henderson also has Epatante in the Mares' Hurdle
Nicky Henderson also has Epatante in the Mares’ Hurdle (David Davies/PA)

Palin added: “If it is soft ground, like it is probably going to be on Tuesday, the extra stamina that we might have in a Stayers’ will surely come to the fore in the Mares’.

“Soft ground, up that hill, is Epatante guaranteed to get it in soft ground? That is a question.

“Lest we forget, we are 1-0 against her, having beaten her at Punchestown.

“It could be a mouthwatering race. The winners of the last three Champion Hurdles taking each other on, and you put in there Marie’s Rock, who is no slouch and is defending champion, and arguably the best filly in training this side of the Irish Sea, then chuck in young pretenders like Love Envoi, Brandy Love and Theatre Glory, and it really is the race of the meeting!”

Gold Tweet leading two-pronged French raid on Stayers’ Hurdle

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France will have two runners in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in two weeks, with both Gold Tweet and Henri Le Farceur set to be supplemented for the race.

The Gabriel Leenders-trained Gold Tweet has already shown his ability to British racegoers, winning the Cleeve Hurdle at the track in impressive fashion in January.

He will be joined by Henri Le Farceur, winner of a Grade Two at Auteuil on his last run in December and trained by Hugo Merienne.

Gold Tweet had three lengths to spare over Dashel Drasher in the Cleeve and is a general 8-1 shot for the March 16 showpiece.

Leenders feels he will have no excuses, whatever the pace of the race.

He said: “We are ready to run in the big race. He is relaxed and prepared. He will have some work on Saturday and then a gallop on the grass on Wednesday and then he will be ready.

“He jumps fast and is a very strong horse. He is not a big horse, but he is very strong. If we follow, he has a fast finish, which is perfect in an English race.

“If the race is fast, it is no problem. If the race is steady, it is no problem. He will relax and have enough to finish.”

With the exciting Noel George-trained unbeaten hurdler Il Est Francais looking poised to run in Britain next term, there could soon be a French invasion to mirror those great raids by Francois Doumen a few years ago.

The shoots of a truly international Festival are already beginning to flourish and Leenders added there is plenty of expectation across the English Channel.

“Everybody is excited, I think a lot of French people will come to the Festival and follow him, because it is very exciting for France,” he added.

Henri Le Farceur is another intriguing runner for the three-mile contest on March 16.

The six-year-old has won four of his 17 starts for Merienne, who said: “He is a nice horse. He will like the extra distance and I think he will like the track.

“Let’s have a try – it is a challenge, but we will see. We need to come and improve out knowledge for the future as well.

“He had a long year last year and we gave him a few weeks off.

“A lot of young French trainers who have worked in Ireland and England have come to Cheltenham to watch as a visitor. It is a bit of a dream for us to come here – it is like the World Cup, so let’s try.”

Flooring Porter ‘on target’ for Stayers’ Hurdle defence

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Flooring Porter is “on target” for a Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle hat-trick bid, according to trainer Gavin Cromwell.

The eight-year-old was magnificent from the front in the hands of Danny Mullins in both 2021 and 2022, but his chances of lighting up Prestbury Park for a third time appeared to be in the balance having met with a setback following defeat in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.

His hopes of making the Festival were described as no better than “50-50” at the time, but connections are now happy with their charge, who returns to his beloved Cheltenham as the 6-1 joint-fourth favourite with the race sponsor.

“We’re happy now and we’re on target to run,” said Cromwell.

“Obviously he missed a bit of work and that isn’t ideal, but we’re happy with him nonetheless. He’s in good form and hopefully now we can get him over there in one piece.

“With such an unideal prep, hopefully he doesn’t have as big a target on his back and we can be slightly under the radar.

“But we’re delighted to be getting him there – a month ago we were very unsure whether we would, so it’s great to be thinking he’s certainly going to run.”

Cromwell is also hoping that Vanillier can sparkle in the spring when he heads to the Randox Grand National on April 15 following a pleasing display in Fairyhouse’s Bobbyjo Chase.

Vanillier here winning at the Cheltenham Festival, is set to line up in the Randox Grand National
Vanillier here winning at the Cheltenham Festival, is set to line up in the Randox Grand National (Michael Steele/PA)

The former Albert Bartlett winner was coming off a back of a fall at the Dublin Racing Festival when lining up in the Grade Three contest, but produced a clean round of jumping to finish just half a length behind Kemboy in second.

He is now likely to head straight to Aintree and saw his odds trimmed to a general 25-1 for National glory.

Cromwell continued: “I was delighted with the run. He jumped and travelled well and it was a good run to finish so close to Kemboy. I suppose the third horse was a bit behind on ratings which wasn’t ideal, but it was a good run nonetheless.

“I would say he is unlikely to run again between now and Aintree, but he’s not definitely not going to run again.

“We don’t know which way he will take to the fences, but hopefully he will and we’re looking forward to it.

“He’s a horse who seems to come good in the spring, so hopefully that is the case.”

Flooring Porter making good progress towards Stayers’ Hurdle defence

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Gavin Cromwell is “pretty optimistic” Flooring Porter will return to full fitness in time to bid for a third victory in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham next month.

The eight-year-old was a brilliant all-the-way winner of the three-mile showpiece in 2021 and was similarly impressive when successfully defending his crown last season.

He has been beaten in both the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan and Leopardstown’s Christmas Hurdle so far this season, but as that was also the case last term there was no serious cause for alarm.

Gavin Cromwell (left) and jockey Danny Mullins celebrate after Flooring Porter's second Stayers' Hurdle success
Gavin Cromwell (left) and jockey Danny Mullins celebrate after Flooring Porter’s second Stayers’ Hurdle success (Steven Paston/PA)

However, Cromwell revealed in mid-January his stable star had suffered a setback that meant his hopes of making the Festival were no better than “50-50” and “hanging in the balance”.

A month on, though, and the County Meath handler issued a more positive update on Flooring Porter’s well-being, saying: “He’s done plenty of work and has taken it all good so far, so we’re pretty optimistic at this stage.

“As things stand I’d say we’re 70-30 or 80-20 (to make Cheltenham).”

In Flooring Porter’s absence a number of horses have thrown their hat in the Stayers’ Hurdle ring.

Blazing Khal heads the Stayers' Hurdle market
Blazing Khal heads the Stayers’ Hurdle market (Brian Lawless/PA)

The Charles Byrnes-trained Blazing Khal is the new favourite after making a successful return in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan, Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo staked his claim by winning the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park and French ace Gold Tweet came from nowhere to beat the best of the British in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham.

With Flooring Porter’s Navan and Leopardstown conqueror Home By The Lee also in the mix, the reigning champion is as big as 10-1 to join Inglis Drever as a three-time winner

“A few horses have come into it over the last few weeks and we’re just hoping we can get our horse back to Cheltenham in the same nick he has been the last two years,” Cromwell added.

Pace key to Paisley Park’s Festival hopes

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Emma Lavelle believes a quicker pace in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle is vital if Paisley Park is to reclaim the title.

Winner of the race back in 2019, he has finished third behind Gavin Cromwell’s Flooring Porter for the last two years.

Despite being 11, he showed he is still a force to be reckoned with when winning the rearranged Long Walk Hurdle at Kempton, but he was almost 10 lengths behind French raider Gold Tweet in the Cleeve Hurdle last time out.

“Paisley Park has come out of the Cleeve Hurdle well and seems in good order,” said Lavelle.

“He has had an easy time of it since, but we will start to build him back up for the Stayers’ Hurdle this week and roll into Cheltenham.

“I only feel he needs to step back up a little bit and if he does, then he won’t be far away in the Stayers’ Hurdle. They just didn’t go quick enough in the Cleeve.

“He hasn’t suddenly sprouted wings, the only reason he was in that position (handy) is that they hadn’t gone quick enough for him and then the quickening happened too late.

“When that happens he can’t then hit his flat spot and stay on while the others are coming back to him, which is what happened in the Cleeve.”

Lavelle also feels the form of her yard at the time may have played its part.

Emma Lavelle has her horses back in form
Emma Lavelle has her horses back in form (David Davies/PA)

“Our horses, until recently, haven’t been running great and we have had a number of them coughing and a few with snotty noses,” she said.

“I know he won a Grade One through all of that at Kempton Park over Christmas, but why wouldn’t he have something on him when everything else in the yard appears to have had it.

“He has been great for us for a good few seasons but we know it isn’t going to last forever as he is 11 years old now.

“He has been rated in the 160s for five seasons and there are not many horses, as the statistics show, that are rated above 150 in this country.

“When you look at how hard it is to get horses to be vaguely competitive at Cheltenham, we are lucky to have him.”

Cleeve hero Gold Tweet to be supplemented for Stayers’ Hurdle

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Gold Tweet is on course for a tilt at the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, with trainer Gabriel Leenders confirming he intends to supplement his Cleeve Hurdle winner for the Cheltenham Festival contest.

Although not among the original entries for the Thursday feature, Gold Tweet shot towards the head of the market for the three-mile Grade One when becoming France’s first Graded winner at Cheltenham in 18 years on Festival Trials Day.

Sent off a rather unfancied 14-1 for the Cleeve, he travelled strongly into contention in the hands of Johnny Charron before scooting clear of the game Dashel Drasher after the last to record a taking three-length victory.

Gold Tweet ridden by Johnny Charron (left) before going on to win the Dahlbury Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle during Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham
Gold Tweet ridden by Johnny Charron (left) before going on to win the Dahlbury Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle during Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham (David Davies/PA)

Connections were initially lukewarm about returning to Prestbury Park, but Leenders has now signalled his intention of stumping up the £14,787 supplementary fee for Gold Tweet to take part in the March 16 event.

He said: “We have no problem supplementing him for the Stayers’ Hurdle, the race on the Thursday.

“I’m very excited and it is a dream for me and all my team.

“It’s a better level race and the Irish horses are a different quality I think.

“We will come like last time, relaxed and we will see. If he has a good chance then we are happy, but we are relaxed. We won last time but now the race is better.”