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One of the most established races on the National Hunt calendar is the prestigious Stayers’ Hurdle. The three-mile marathon is one of the toughest races at the Festival and is run at Grade One level. We have information here on the Stayers’ Hurdle odds and Stayers’ Hurdle favourites for 2022 and much more besides.
Stayers’ Hurdle Odds Winner – Favourites 2022
Stayers’ Hurdle odds are very changeable, especially after major prep races such as the Cleeve Hurdle. As of now, this is how they stack up for the 2022 renewal. All Cheltenham odds are also available in this guide.
Stayers’ Hurdle Tips
For 2022, Stayers’ Hurdle tips are a matter of great debate. Several believe that last year’s winner Flooring Porter will be hard to beat, but Paisley Park and Thyme Hill might have something to say about that. Sire Du Berlais is not out of the reckoning either. The two main Stayers’ Hurdle Cheltenham contenders are not in much doubt, though.
Flooring Porter
The Gavin Cromwell-trained Flooring Porter made most of the running in the 2021 Stayers’ Hurdle, and after going clear when approaching the last, he went on unchallenged to take victory by 3¼ lengths.
However, a month after his Cheltenham win, Flooring Porter pulled up before the last in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown. Of course, Punchestown is a right-handed track, and this horse’s last three victories each came on left-handed courses (Cheltenham, Leopardstown and Navan). Will this play a role in Flooring Porter seeking to defend the crown? The Stayers’ Hurdle betting odds seem to lean this way.
Thyme Hill
But for bad luck in running, Thyme Hill would likely have proven his trainer Philip Hobbs’ suspicions correct that he was the best novice hurdler in training in the Albert Bartlett in 2020.
He was ultimately fourth there, but the seven-year-old has gone up a gear now and looks ready for the Stayers’ Hurdle without a doubt.
A lot will depend on the ground here. While he has shown the mettle required of a Stayers’ Hurdle Cheltenham type, he was undoubtedly better on good ground. The heavy ground in the Long Walk was perhaps too much for him.
Assuming no bad weather, there is every reason to believe Thyme Hill will ultimately improve past his main rival. He earns short quotes in the Stayers’ Hurdle odds for a reason.
Stayers’ Hurdle Cheltenham Festival
As one of the oldest major races on the calendar, the Stayers’ Hurdle rates among the very top rank of events all trainers, jockeys and owners want to win. Stayers’ Hurdle Cheltenham types need to be top-class to win, the race having a very rich history.
Race History
A version of the Stayers’ Hurdle has been on the calendar since way back in 1912. Initially staged nearby at Prestbury Park, it has always been a three-mile event. Now that it is run on the New Course at Cheltenham it becomes very much a war of attrition.
Run in the past as a selling race it has also been known as both the Spa Hurdle and the World Hurdle. In its more familiar guise as the Stayers’ Hurdle, it has boasted some of the best Cheltenham Festival champions in history. Stayers’ Hurdle odds are still some of the most sought after in the industry.
Prize Money
Although considered to be the feature race on day three of the Festival, the main Stayers’ Hurdle favourites in 2021 will be fighting for the second-highest prize fund. The Ryanair Chase is worth a little more.
The overall pot in 2021 was still an impressive £230,000, of which the winner collected a shade over £135,000, with payouts going all the way down to the 8th-placed finisher, who picked up £816. We don’t expect much to change in terms of the prize fund for the 2022 race.
Famous Winners
Many great horses have taken the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in its illustrious past, but since the turn of the millennium, it has been all about those popular multiple champions.
Winning more than once in this contest have been superstars Baracouda, Inglis Drever and the amazing Big Buck’s.
Baracouda was owned by Cheltenham legend JP McManus but trained in France. He took the race in both 2002 and 2003. Inglis Drever won the even three years out of four (2005, 2007 and 2008) too but nothing compares to Big Buck’s in this division.
Paul Nicholls’ star took the Stayers’ Hurdle four years running between 2009 and 2013 to cement his place as a genuine legend.
Since then, Willie Mullins has had a double success with Nichols Canyon in 2017 and Penhill the following year. The biggest surprise in recent years came in 2020 when the 50/1 shot Lisnagar Oscar won by 2 lengths.
Records
The aforementioned Big Buck’s is the only four-time winner of the race since its return to its current title. Thus, he is the winningest horse ever. His trainer Paul Nicholls, by virtue solely of his exploits, is also the most successful trainer in the race. The same applies to jockey Ruby Walsh and with their Stayers’ Hurdle odds always skinny.
The Stewart Family and Andrea and Graham Wylie are the most successful owners in the race with 4 wins each. The Stewart Family claimed all of theirs with Big Buck’s, while Inglis Drever (3 wins) and Nichols Canyon (1 win) were the victors for Andrea and Graham.
With Paisley Park (2019) and Flooring Porter (2021) both fancied in the Stayers’ Hurdle betting odds, we could see another two-time winner of this famous race.
Stayers’ Hurdle – FAQs
Before finalising your Stayers’ Hurdle tips, you should keep in mind the answers to these common questions about the race.
What Time is the Race Name Cheltenham 2022?
The proposed start time for the 2022 Stayers’ Hurdle is 15:05 on Thursday, the 17th of March.
Who Won the Race Name Last Year?
12/1 chance Flooring Porter won the Stayers’ Hurdle in 2021.
Which Horse is the Favourite to Win in 2022?
Flooring Porter is the favourite to repeat his 2021 success. However, Thyme Hill and Paisley Park are not too far away in the Stayers’ Hurdle 2022 odds.
