It’s Tea time for Elliott in the Stayers’ Hurdle
BY CHRIS WRIGHT
TEAHUPOO can go a couple of places better than last year and win the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (3.30pm) on day three of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.
The Gordon Elliott-trained sevenyear-old was third behind stable-mate, the admirable veteran Sire Du Berlais, in the Grade One feature of the third day at Prestbury Park last year.
And although last year’s winner is now a 12-year-old, he has already shown over the past couple of seasons at Cheltenham and the Randox Grand
National Festival at Aintree Racecourse that he can still win on the biggest days. But surely his younger stable-mate is set to improve past him and triumph in the three-mile contest.
Teahupoo has not won at the top level over three miles – his did score at Grade Two at Gowran Park last January – as he was fourth in the Punchestown Stayers’ Hurdle following last year’s Cheltenham third.
But on his one run this season he did land a first Grade One victory in the extended 2m4f Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse in December and if he can transfer that form to this longer distance he looks the one to beat.
Former winners Sire Du Berlais and Paisley Park could both make the frame, while Fergal O’Brien’s Long Walk Hurdle hero Crambo should also be in the mix.
Henry De Bromhead’s ENVOI ALLEN can land back-to-back victories and become the third dual winner of the Grade One Ryanair Chase (Registered As The Festival Trophy) (GBB Race) (2.50pm).
Albertas Run (2010-11) and Allaho (2021-22) are the only horses to have won the 2m4f contest twice since it was added to Cheltenham Festival schedule in 2005.
And Envoi Allen can follow in their hoofprints with a second success. The 10-year-old has not won since last March, but has been tried over longer distances and was a good second over three miles to Gerri Colombe in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal back in November. He has been off the track since, but back down to his ideal trip he can give De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore another Grade One win at Cheltenham.
The Paul Nicholls-trained GINNY’S DESTINY can give the home team a winner in the Grade One Turners Novices’ Chase (Registered As The Golden Miller) (GBB Race) (1.30pm).
The eight-year-old has won three from four over fences this season, all at this distance and at Cheltenham.
He steps up to Grade One company following that latest success at Prestbury Park when beating Theatre Man in a Handicap Chase at the end of January. But Ginny’s Destiny can take it in his stride to bring up a four-timer.
Jonjo O’Neill has won the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (2.10pm) three times in the past and looks to have a couple of decent contenders in SPRINGWELL BAY and Judicial Law this time.
Preference is for the former, who won at Cheltenham over 2m5f in the autumn and was a good second in the Pertemps Network Group Hurdle at Musselburgh last month over this three miles. He is still open to improvement having had just eight starts over hurdles and can triumph.
Richard Bandey’s THEATRE MAN can win the Trustatrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (4.10pm). The eight-year-old was a fine second to Ginny’s Destiny in the Timeform Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham on trials day at the end of January having been second and third in two Newbury handicaps at the end of last year. That looks excellent form over course and distance in regards to this race. Theatre Man still looks open to more improvement. County Meath handler Elliott’s BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD can continue her unbeaten run with victory in the Grade Two Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Registered As The Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle) (4.50pm). Elliott may treble up in the finale to day three, the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (Sponsored By JRL Group) (5.30pm), with WHERE IT ALL BEGAN.
The eight-year-old is entered in the the Randox Grand National at Aintree – although at 78th on the list of entries won’t get in this year – but he could be one to keep an eye on for the future.
Where It All Began won the Listed Quinnbet Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Punchestown by 16 lengths, stepped up to 3m3f for the first time. He can improve again to win this 3m2f contest.
Teahupoo ridden by Jack Kennedy
WE at Betfred needed snookers if we were to break even on the day, and that’s what we got when big favourite El Fabiolo was pulled up in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Captain Guinness, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, took full advantage to leave me emerging from behind the sofa with a little smile.
The failure of Willie Mullins’ El Fabiolo proves beyond doubt that absolutely anything can happen in this great sport.
Despite all those multiples going down, you the punters are still breaking even with us bookies with two days to go.
I did fear the worst at this Mullins-dominated festival from the off with the most backed horse in all the four days, Ballyburn, putting in a phenomenal performance to win the Novices Hurdle.
And to rub salt into the wounds of his rival English trainers Mullins had the first five past the post!
It was same again with another Mullins mounts Fact to File triumphing at a canter – again at odds on.
The big question on day three of the greatest show on turf is whether there will be time for tea!
Trainer Gordon Elliott is certainly hoping there is, with Teahupoo clear favourite to triumph in the Stayers’ Hurdle
Elliott has been talking up his chances after coming a close third in the race last year and being first past the post in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse in December.
“He’s in great form,” said Elliott, who believes the soft ground won’t be an issue for Teahupoo, who has been kept fresh just for the three mile feature.
Blackmore will be on favourite Envoi Allen in the hotly-contested Ryanair Chase with connections of long-time favourite Banbridge looking to the heavens and hoping there is no more rain. Paul Nicholls has Stage Star and
Hitman in the race, but I feel it will be another big win Blackmore and Henry De Bromhead.