RACING anorak Graeme Johnston (@GraemeJ_83) analyses the field for the highlight of Day 3 from the Cheltenham Festival, the Stayers Hurdle.
Stayers Hurdle | Thursday 14th March 2019, 15:30 | ITV1
The Stayers Hurdle is the race of the day and it’s a better renewal than we have had in recent years. It sees a new face take on a racing superstar, looking to add to his previous Festival wins and I’m going for the old warrior here.
Supasundae (8/1 William Hill) is a horse I love and was second in this race last year. There was no real pace then and his stamina will be stretched to the max this time round, which I fear will find him out.
Paisley Park (2/1 Betway( has been a revelation this year and deserves to be favourite after his comprehensive victory over course and distance last time out. It had most of the top UK stayers in it, however I think they are a poor group. Would we have been surprised if Faugheen won that race by the same margin? No. So at the odds I cannot back him.
I love Faugheen (9/2 Betway). Everyone should. He is a multiple Grade 1 winner, including a Champion Hurdle, and injury prevented him winning more.
He won the Irish Stayers Hurdle last year and his form this year is of no concern to me. Second over trips too short for him is not bad, however his fall last time was painful so my worry is if that left its mark. The yard would not send him here at 11 unless he was working well and I expect him to set out and break the hearts of his opposition one-by-one in what could be a very emotional end to his career.
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Stayers Hurdle – Faugheen to win (9/2 Betway)
