This could prove to be one of the races of the Festival with Paisley Park and Thyme Hill doing battle for a third time this season, they both have a win against their name after two epic races in the Long Distance and Long Walk Hurdles respectively. The combined winning distance of both races was less than two lengths and both horses have lost nothing in defeat to each other.
Emma Lavelle's experienced and battle-hardened Paisley Park has bounced back from disappointment at last year's Festival to show the fire and class is still there. It would have maybe suited him a little more to run in the Cleeve Hurdle and put the Cheltenham memories behind him but Lavelle is confident her horse can win two Stayers' in three years.
Phillips Hobbs' Thyme Hill is the new kid on the Staying scene and looked a champion in waiting when accounting for Paisley in the Long Distance Hurdle, and with only six career starts to his name you can imagine he has a fair bit of improvement left in him for the showdown on the Thursday.
JP McManus' Sire Du Berlais is a notable runner here, after back-to-back wins in the Pertemps he steps up to three miles here but hasn't looked suited to the distance as of yet, it would be foolish to rule out his chances though given the owners record at the Festival and his ability to plot horses for specific races.
Last year's winner Lisnagar Oscar is possibly overlooked in the market with a general 33/1 shout – two races this year has seemed as if the runs have been needed and Rebecca Curtis will be hoping her charge strikes lucky again. Roksana and Ronald Pump are other noteworthy runners in the race where both have shown high-level form this season and it wouldn't be a surprise if either of these cross the line first.
2019 winner Paisley Park (8/11) was one of the great stories of the 2019 Cheltenham Festival for owner Andrew Gemmell and trainer Emma Lavelle.
An unbeaten campaign culminated in Aidan Coleman navigating a tricky race and almost blundering the last to land the spoils for popular connections.
He's since added the Long Distance Hurdle and Cleeve Hurdle to his list of wins and put all opposition to the sword.
He's not the most glamourous but he just gets the job done time and time again, he will be looking to be the first horse since Big Buck's in 2012 to win back-to-back Stayers' Hurdles, he's far and away most punters' NAP of the week.
Opposition is difficult to predict given Paisley's inclusion, Summerville Boy (7/1) could be a danger, he was beaten just over a length (by Paisley Park) when contesting the Cleeve Hurdle earlier this year.
He's now been aimed at this after a difficult time over fences, but Tom George's 8yo has won at Cheltenham before (Supreme Novices' 2018) and knows what it takes to get up that hill.
Emitom (10/1) is highly regarded by connections and a wonderful display in the Rendlesham enhanced the 6yo's glowing reputation.
Owner Warren Greatrex says he has the "world at his feet" - Greatrex famously won the Stayers' with Cole Harden in 2015. Jockey Gavin Sheehan has since stated "he's the one in the race who could really put it up to Paisley Park."
Eddie O'Leary hinted that 2017 Mares' Hurdle winner Apple's Jade (14/1) could head to the race after her win at Leopardstown over 3 miles, beating the likes of Unowhatimeanharry, Penhill and Bacardys. But after being pulled up in the Galmoy Hurdle, Gordon Elliott suggested this race could be her swansong.
Martin Brassil, trainer of City Island (12/1), has described this year's renewal as "very open if you take out the favourite". His horse is yet to run further that 2m5f but Brassil is "confident" he will stay 3m – he has Cheltenham form as well, beating Champ in last year's Ballymore.
| # | Horse | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Apple's Jade | 15.00 14/1 1400 | |
| Bacardys | 21.00 20/1 2000 | |
| Tobefair | 51.00 50/1 5000 | |
| The Jam Man | 67.00 66/1 6600 | |
| L'ami Serge | 26.00 25/1 2500 | |
| Summerville Boy | 8.00 7/1 700 | |
| Donna's Diamond | 67.00 66/1 6600 | |
| Ronald Pump | 26.00 25/1 2500 | |
| West Approach | 51.00 50/1 5000 | |
| Ask Dillon | 101.00 100/1 10000 | |
| Paisley Park | 1.61 8/13 -163 | |
| City Island | 13.00 12/1 1200 | |
| Lisnagar Oscar | 21.00 20/1 2000 | |
| Penhill | 13.00 12/1 1200 | |
| Emitom | 11.00 10/1 1000 |
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