Stayers' Hurdle Picture after Christmas: 'He looks the one to beat'

The Christmas period has been enlightening with regards to the Stayers’ Hurdle picture.

The big three-mile hurdle at Cheltenham in March is traditionally one of the four championship races and it’s shaping up to be a very competitive affair.

There were three races over the festive period which may have a bearing so we’re going to take a closer look at the chances of the leading contenders as things stand.

Long Walk Hurdle

Taking place just before Christmas, Ascot’s Grade 1 was won by the progressive Impose Toi who seems to get better and better with every run this season. He looks like Britain’s leading hope off the back of that performance and further progress can’t be ruled out.

Gordon Elliott ’s Honesty Policy was a Grade 1 winner at Aintree last season and wasn’t beaten far when second to Jasmin De Vaux at Punchestown over three miles. Making his seasonal debut here, he could only manage third but he’s likely to improve for that. Strong Leader is a fair performer at Grade 2 level but doesn’t appear to be a bonafide Grade 1 type. Potters Charm was a fair novice last season but has failed to establish himself in the graded division this term and it’s back to the drawing board with him.

Christmas Hurdle

Gordon Elliott was firing in the winners over Christmas and one of the most satisfying would have been Teahupoo rsquo;s comfortable victory in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown. We don’t usually see him at this time of year but the extra run will enhance his chances.

Narrowly getting the better of Ballyburn in the Hatton’s Grace, many expected the form to be reversed, but the three-mile trip played more to Teahupoo’s strength than Ballyburn’s. There only ever looked like being one winner of this race and he was well in command.

He’s already a Stayers’ Hurdle winner and he looks like the one to beat once again, despite failing to get the better of Bob Olinger last year. Henry de Bromhead’s gelding made his seasonal debut here and there was lots to like about his effort, after finishing second.

You would imagine he will improve for the run and his excellent record at Cheltenham makes him a huge contender. Ignoring his chances would be very dangerous, although he’s now an 11-year-old and his best days may well be behind him.

It’s one step forward two steps back with regards to Ballyburn, who looked good at Fairyhouse beforehand, but failed to see out the trip. He went on to finish a well beaten third and connections will be left scratching their heads once again.

Other disappointments include Mystical Power, whose form has fallen off a cliff in the last couple of seasons, and The Yellow Clay

Relkeel Hurdle

There’s only one horse to take out of the Relkeel Hurdle and that’s the impressive Dan Skelton-trained winner Kabral Du Mathan

Paul Nicholls did much of the hard work with him, as he was backwards and babyish last season, but he switched yards over the summer and is unbeaten in two starts for his new stable. He travelled powerfully throughout and put the race to bed with a great jump at the last.

It took him so long to learn how to settle that it’s hard to know if three miles will suit but connections have suggested that Cheltenham is plan B and Aintree is the first choice.