All about proving himself as Elliott-trained Teahupoo aims to reclaim Stayers’ Hurdle crown
Teahupoo and Jack Kennedy win for owner Robcour and trainer Gordon Elliott with groom Erika Peculyte. Pic: Healy Racing
Teahupoo can prove himself the king of the staying hurdling division by avenging last year’s defeat to Cheltenham specialist Bob Olinger in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.
Victorious in this race two years ago, Teahupoo surrendered his crown last year but is unbeaten in three starts since to take his total Grade One tally to seven.
The most recent of those top level successes, at Leopardstown at Christmas, was arguably a career-best effort as the Gordon Elliott-trained nine-year-old powered to a seven-length win over Bob Olinger.
If he runs to that level here, it’ll take a huge performance from any of his rivals to lower his colours.
That being said, that Leopardstown second was Bob Olinger’s only run since winning the Stayers’ and, as Lossiemouth’s heroics on Tuesday again proved, past Festival form here can never be dismissed.
However, you have to go back 40 years to find the last 11-year-old to win the Stayers’ Hurdle so a fourth Festival success may be beyond Bob Olinger.
At the other end of the age scale, Honesty Policy shaped well when third in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on his sole start this season but Teahupoo came up short in the Stayers’ Hurdle as a six-year-old and his stablemate’s inexperience could undermine his challenge as well.
It could be a terrific Thursday for the Elliott team as, in the absence of Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead, the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, the first Grade One of the day, should be a penalty kick for winning machine Wodhooh.
Only Lossiemouth has lowered the colours of last year’s Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle winner in 10 starts over hurdles and even then Wodhooh ran a fine race in defeat, going down by less than three lengths at Aintree last season.
That run proved her to be a top-class mare and she can add a first Grade One to her card on Thursday. Back over the smaller obstacles, Jade De Grugy looks the sole credible threat to the favourite.
Elsewhere on the day three card, Fact To File is almost impossible to oppose in the Ryanair Chase, a race he sauntered to victory in last year.
The nine-year-old produced an awesome performance to win the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival last month and, while many will be of the view that he should be running the Cheltenham equivalent on Friday rather than this easier assignment, it’ll be a huge surprise if he is turned over.
Banbridge finished in front of an out of sorts Fact To File when only going down by a nose in the King George at Kempton and he can lead the chasing pack home.
Should he do so, it’ll end Jonbon’s remarkable record of never finishing outside the first two in 27 career starts.
Away from the Grade One action, Bambino Fever can get the day off to the best possible start for punters by winning the Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
Last year’s Champion Bumper heroine was beaten by Oldschool Outlaw on her hurdling debut at Naas in December but can turn the tables on her Elliott-trained rival here.
Waterford Whispers gets the vote in the finale, the Kim Muir Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase.
The Henry De Bromhead-trained eight-year-old ticks the Festival form box having found only Better Day Ahead in the Martin Pipe two years ago.
He has yet to get his head in front over fences but has run some decent races in defeat, most recently when finishing a close third in a competitive handicap chase at the Dublin Racing Festival. There has long been a sense that there’s a big day in him and this might just be that big day.
J’Arrive De L’Est, second in two cross-country chases this season, might also be able to make his presence felt for Emmet Mullins.
Sixmilebridge can end Fergal O’Brien’s wait for a Festival triumph by winning the Grade Two Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.
The seven-year-old has won seven of his 10 career starts and has yet to taste defeat in three runs over fences, most recently bagging a Grade One success at Sandown at the end of January. A bold frontrunner, he could be hard to peg back.
The consistent Regent’s Stroll, who got within half a length of Honesty Policy over hurdles at Aintree last season, should also be the mix for Paul Nicholls.
The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle looks fiendishly tricky but the Nicky Henderson-trained Bold Endeavour, fourth in this race two years ago off 13lb higher, ought to be in the mix. The Sam Thomas-trained C’Est Different is another for the shortlist.
1.20 Bambino Fever (NB)
2.00 Sixmilebridge
2.40 Wodhooh
3.20 Teahupoo (Nap)
4.00 Fact To File
4.40 Bold Endeavour
5.20 Waterford Whispers
1.20 Oldschool Outlaw
2.00 Regent’s Stroll
2.40 Jade De Grugy
3.20 Bob Olinger
4.00 Banbridge
4.40 C’Est Different
5.20 J’Arrive De L’Est
