Stayers' Hurdle 2026 Tips - Overlooked home runner the value bet on Thursday
The 2026 Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival promises to be an exhilarating race with a new start time set at 3:20 pm on March 12th. Teahupoo, known for past victories including the 2024 race, leads the group. However, Nicky Henderson's Improse Toi emerges as an enticing value bet, especially if the ground conditions favor quicker speeds. The race includes 13 top competitors, all vying for a hefty £182,878 first prize. Fans and punters alike eagerly await what promises to be a memorable event in horse racing.
- Predictions and best bets for the 2026 Stayers' Hurdle
- This famous Grade One takes place on day three of the Cheltenham Festival on March 12th
- Impose Toi (12/1) features in our selections
The feature championship race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival is the Stayers' Hurdle, which has moved to a new start time of 3:20pm for 2026.
We've analysed the field set to take part in this year's race to bring you our Stayers' Hurdle tips for 2026, including our best bet and race verdict.
Last Updated: 10.3.2026
Race Info
| Race | Stayers' Hurdle |
| Date | Thursday, March 12th, 2026 |
| Start Time | 3:20pm |
| Status | Grade One |
| Distance | 3m |
| First Prize | £182,878 |
| Going | NA |
| Runners | 13 |
| Favourite | Teahupoo (15/8) |
2026 Stayers' Hurdle Runners
An impressive winner of this contest two years ago, Teahupoo was outpaced late on by Bob Olinger when attempting to defend his Stayers' Hurdle crown in 2025. Since then, Gordon Elliott's star has won three Grade Ones, and handed Bob Olinger a seven-length beating when they met at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Gordon Elliott will also be represented by Honesty Policy, who was my 25/1 selection for this race at the start of the season. I was pleased with Honesty Policy's comeback run in the Long Walk Hurdle, where he stuck to his task gamely to finish third behind two race-fit rivals.
Elliott has been unable to get another run into his six-year-old, despite entering him in both the Boyne and Galmoy Hurdles. A light-framed, inexperienced horse, Honesty Policy would have benefited from another outing before taking on battle-hardened stayers again. I'm happy with my ante-post slip, but I won't be backing Honesty Policy again at such a short price.
Henry de Bromhead spoke glowingly of Bob Olinger during his pre-Cheltenham stable tour, claiming his teenager was in even better shape this year than he was last. Darragh O'Keeffe's mount is unbeaten in four starts around Cheltenham, and will certainly be a big player again if the ground is in his favour.
Ma Shantou jumped up to fourth in the Stayers' Hurdle betting following his superb victory in the Cleeve Hurdle. Emma Lavelle's star is three-from-three around Cheltenham this season, and remains capable of another step forwards - which he will need if he's to topple the best of the Irish challengers.
Impose Toi had won the Long Distance Hurdle and the Long Walk in impressive fashion earlier in the season. Nicky Henderson's star was no match for Ma Shantou in the Cleeve, where his turn-of-foot was blunted by both the testing ground and his Grade One-winner's penalty. Henderson could also be represented by Pertemps Final winner Doddiethegreat, who has been found wanting at the highest level throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
Then there's Kabral Du Mathan - the only horse towards the head of the betting who is yet to race over three miles. Dan Skelton's star ran out a ready winner on his reappearance in a handicap at Haydock, and survived a couple of errors to claim an easy victory in the Relkeel Hurdle on his Cheltenham debut. Like Impose Toi, Kabral Du Mathan needs good ground to be at his best, and is hard to back at the current prices, given stamina is a complete unknown.
Willie Mullins had hoped to transform Ballyburn into a Stayers' Hurdle contender this term, but his downturn in form has continued and it's unclear what race he'll go for at the Cheltenham Festival. French star Theleme hasn't run since November 2023, and missed his intended return in the Cleeve Hurdle after suffering another setback. Hewick has been fairly uncompetitive in his last two starts in Britain, and Shark Hanlon's 11-year-old doesn't seem capable of landing much of a blow here.
Wodhooh goes for the Mares' Hurdle, while Feet Of A Dancer and The Yellow Clay seem more likely to head for the Coral Cup. Flooring Porter will be saved for the Grand National. Home By The Lee doesn't like Cheltenham. Potters Charm isn't a guaranteed stayer over three miles, while the likes of French Ship and Gowel Road aren't good enough.
2026 Stayers' Hurdle Tips
| Bet Type | Name | Odds (18.2.26) |
|---|---|---|
| Value Bet | Impose Toi | 12/1 |
Supposing the rain dried up and the going was Good-To-Soft on St Patrick's Day, I'd be happy to chance IMPOSE TOI (14/1) at a double-figure price.
Impose Toi utilised his excellent turn-of-foot to win at both Aintree and Newbury in November. It was a similar story in the Long Walk Hurdle, where Nico de Boinville's mount tracked the leaders throughout, and quickened past Strong Leader after the final flight to claim his first Grade One win.
I thought the bookmakers overreacted to his defeat in the Cleeve Hurdle. The even-money favourite jumped the first hurdle poorly and never seemed comfortable on testing ground. Ma Shantou, on the other hand, excelled in such conditions and ran out an impressive winner, as Impose Toi plugged on up the hill to finish second.
Henderson's eight-year-old won't have to give Ma Shantou six pounds again at the Festival, and he is a proven winner at the track. If the weather does take a turn for the better, then I doubt you'll be getting anything like 14/1 about Impose Toi come the middle week of March.
Live Stream
Visit our Stayers' Hurdle Live Stream page if you want to watch any race on day one of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival via a mobile or tablet.
Stayers' Hurdle 2026 FAQs
- When is the 2026 Stayers' Hurdle?
The Stayers' Hurdle will take place on day three of the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday 12th March, 2026.
- What time does the Stayers' Hurdle go off?
The Stayers' Hurdle is scheduled to start at 3:20pm on March 12th.
- Who will win the 2026 Stayers' Hurdle?
2024 winner Teahupoo has been dominant this season, and Gordon Elliott's star looks to have every chance of reclaiming his crown at the Cheltenham Festival.
- Where can I watch the 2026 Stayers' Hurdle?
The Stayers' Hurdle will be shown live on ITV Racing. You can also stream the race live on a mobile device. Head to our website for more information.
Verdict
On better ground, I'd give Impose Toi a decent chance, and Nicky Henderson's Grade One winner looks to be the value bet in the race.
Impose Toi E/W
2026 Stayers' Hurdle Value Bet
@12/1 - 5 Units
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