Teahupoo and Bob Olinger on course for Stayers’ Hurdle rematch

Teahupoo and Bob Olinger, the last two winners of the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, are among 13 potential runners in this year’s renewal of the Cheltenham Festival’s day three feature.

Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo was an emphatic winner of the Grade One contest in 2024, but was upstaged by fellow Robcour-owned star Bob Olinger when defending his crown 12 months ago as Henry de Bromhead’s veteran claimed his third Festival success.

Having won each of his three starts so far this season, Teahupoo is the clear favourite to wrestle back his title next week, while Bob Olinger will bid for back-to-back wins after finishing a seven-length second to Teahupoo on his only start so far this season at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

Robbie Power, racing manager for the owners, said: “The Stayers’ Hurdle is a very competitive race but Teahupoo and Bob Olinger go there in great form.

“Teahupoo won his third Hatton’s Grace and was very impressive when he beat Bob Olinger at Leopardstown at Christmas. I thought Bob ran an exceptionally good race on his first start of the season and it’s always been the plan with him to go Leopardstown at Christmas then Cheltenham in March as he’s 11 now.

“He’s in unbelievable form at home and Henry is really happy with him. Davy Roach, who rides him out every day, feels he’s as good as he’s ever been.

“The two of them go there giving us a great chance. Obviously they were first and second last year and the ground could have a big bearing on it – the drier the ground the better Bob Olinger’s chances, while the easier the ground the more it favours Teahupoo. Hopefully it’s one race we have plenty of angles covered in.”

Elliott has a major second string to his bow in the form of Honesty Policy, last seen finishing third in Ascot’s Long Walk Hurdle behind fellow JP McManus-owned ace Impose Toi, who is also in the Stayers’ Hurdle but has the alternative option of lining up in the Pertemps Final on the same day under top-weight.

Dan Skelton is looking forward to seeing the exciting Kabral Du Mathan test his powers over three miles for the first time, while the Emma Lavelle-trained Ma Shantou has won three times at Cheltenham and earned his place in the field by landing the Cleeve Hurdle over the course and distance in January.

Ballyburn is the sole representative for Willie Mullins, Shark Hanlon will saddle his stable star Hewick and Home By The Lee is set to run in the race for the fifth year in succession for Joseph O’Brien.

Nicky Henderson’s Impose Toi could be joined by stablemate Doddiethegreat, with Gowel Road, Gwennie May Boy and Feet Of A Dancer completing the acceptors.