Stayers' Hurdle 2023 Tips - Ireland to dominate St Patrick's day feature

Here's our free guide and tips for the 2023 Stayers' Hurdle.

Blazing Khal jumped to the head of the congested betting market for this year's Stayers' Hurdle, following his return victory in the Boyne Hurdle. Charles Byrnes' seven-year-old ran out a clear-cut winner that day, but I wasn't blown away. It certainly wasn't the best run any Stayers' Hurdle contender has produced this season. Blazing Khal has clearly had his problems over the last 18 months, which would bring the dreaded bounce factor into play. For me, he's a fragile favourite and one worth taking on.

The outstanding horse in the division this season has been Teahupoo. Gordon Elliott's six-year-old defeated the then-undefeated Honeysuckle and a fresh Klassical Dream when winning the Hatton's Grace on his reappearance and Davy Russell's mount could have been more impressive when winning the Galmoy Hurdle last time out. 

If plenty of rain was to appear in the forecast leading up to Cheltenham, then Teahupoo would be my selection. However, the going seems likely to come up fairly quick at this point. Elliott has always said this horse loves plenty of juice in the surface and Teahupoo's performances on decent ground would back up those claims.

I won't be backing any of the British horses in the Stayers' Hurdle. It's clearly a weak division on this side of the Irish Sea. French raider, Gold Tweet was sent over to Trials Day as a mere scouting mission and ended up thrashing the best stayers England has to offer. Even Gabriel Leender's was surprised by the ease with which his six-year-old won that Grade Two and I can't see Gold Tweet troubling the Irish contenders when they arrive at Prestbury Park.

That being said, if Marie's Rock was switched to the Stayers', then she would be of interest. At the moment, a return to the Mares' Hurdle - a race she won 12 months ago - remains her most likely objective. If she was to make an appearance on day three of the Cheltenham Festival instead, then this three mile trip could be well within her reach.

At the ante-post stage, I tipped up Klassical Dream as a good value option. Willie Mullins' charge would still be of great interest if confirmed for the race, as he's always at his best when fresh. However, Mullins has been very tight-lipped when providing fitness updates about Klassical Dream and a recent slide in the betting has thrown his participation into even deeper doubt.