Cheltenham Festival Preview 2026: Stayers' Hurdle

Teahupoo will be attempting to regain his Stayers’ Hurdle crown at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival and is a warm favourite to do so.

Our team of Emma Nagle, jockey coach Paddy Flood, journalist Johnny Ward and William Hill’s Sam Norris highlighted their selections in Thursday’s feature.

Sam Norris

I would not be surprised if this year we see a changing of the guard, with the likes of Impose Toi Ma Shantou and Honesty Policy

On the day, I would play a Racing Bet Builder on William Hill, which you can do now, and I would have the younger horses to beat the older horses. It is also interesting that we have consistently layed Hewick for the Stayers’ Hurdle.

Johnny Ward

Teahupoo, for me, is just very, very hard to beat. He sets a high standard in this division and, when he is at his best, he is extremely tough to get past. He has proven himself at the top level and brings real class into the race.

That said, he could be a horse that drifts slightly in the market on the day. If that happens, there might be a bit of value there for those who still believe in him. Sometimes with these big races, attention moves elsewhere and a solid favourite can go off at a higher price than expected.

I also would not give up on The Yellow Clay He was disappointing last time, but he is a horse who seems to come alive at Cheltenham. Some horses simply improve for the track, the atmosphere and the occasion, and he could be one of those. If you forgive his latest run and focus on his better form, he is not without a chance.

Overall, it looks like a tricky race. Teahupoo is the one they all have to beat, but there are a few angles to consider, especially if the market shifts or if one of the others improves for the Festival stage.

Paddy Flood

I am going to stick with my old friend Bob Olinger He is unbeaten at the track, and I think there is one more big performance in him. I really do.

He is a solid, honest horse and the type you would love to ride in a race like this. You know what you are going to get with him. He travels well, jumps soundly and usually finds plenty off the bridle.

That experience around Cheltenham is a massive plus, especially in a championship race where so much can happen.

Tactically, it looks straightforward. He will likely be ridden with patience again, take his time through the race and be produced late.

The plan will probably be to creep into it, deliver his challenge at the last and hope for the same outcome as last year.

If he is within striking distance jumping two out, you would be very confident he will battle all the way to the line.

Cheltenham clearly brings out the best in him. Some horses just come alive there, and he seems to be one of them. That unbeaten record at the track is not an accident.

He handles the undulations, the atmosphere and the pressure.

If things fall right again, there is no reason he cannot finish unbeaten at the track. I am happy to side with him once more.

Emma Nagle

Ma Shantou was probably the one on my list. I think you would need to be a 160-rated horse to win this, and while a few of them still have something to prove, Ma Shantou can get right up there.

There is definitely talent there and, if things fall into place, he could be very competitive in a race like this.

Another interesting name mentioned was Wodhooh She would be really interesting if she lined up here, although it sounds like she might not.

If she did take her chance, she would receive the mares’ allowance, which is always a big help at this level. That weight allowance can make a big difference in a tight finish.

There is also the question of stamina, but there is a feeling she would stay the three-mile trip. We saw her win the Martin Pipe last year, and she showed plenty of determination and strength that day.

That performance suggested she has the class to mix it in better company.

It may be unlikely that she runs, but if she does, she would definitely catch the eye. With the allowance and her proven Festival form, she would be one to keep a close watch on.

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