The Stayers are in the spotlight on Thursday in the 6.05pm at Punchestown when Teahupoo and Bob Olinger head back into battle in the Ladbrokes Stayers’ Hurdle.

Journalist Johnny Ward was joined by Donn McClean on the latest episode of ‘The Irish Edge’ and here are their thoughts on what looks like a wide open race.

Johnny Ward

I find this race really difficult because you have the most reliable horse in training, Teahupoo, who actually disappointed at Cheltenham, taking on Bob Olinger, who is a horse that needs things to fall right but I thought ran very well at Cheltenham. Honesty Policy was third at Aintree, and then you have potential flies in the ointment, particularly Kawaboomga who was second to Slade Steel last time.

Ground conditions are important for me.

I still feel that Teahupoo is probably more effective on soft ground, and he’s not going to get that here.

It hasn’t necessarily stopped him in the past at Punchestown, as he’s been good in this race on ground that was probably lively enough for him, but he does have that question to answer now after Cheltenham.

Donn McClean

I think Teahupoo is probably better on soft ground, but he proved last year that he can still be very effective. He’s nine years old now, but he is the standard-setter in the race.

Bob Olinger ran well again at Cheltenham. He’s eleven now.

Honesty Policy has been to Cheltenham and Aintree. He’s still a young horse though, only six, so you can maybe mark him up a little bit based on the Aintree run. He’s a player in the race.

Kawaboomga is the one who could come forward again. He was beaten by Slade Steel, who it was great to see back over hurdles winning a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse.

Kawaboomga was in front early that day, and after Slade Steel passed him, he was coming back again at the line.

You could argue that maybe Slade Steel was idling, but Kawaboomga will probably improve for stepping up in trip, or at least for a greater test of stamina.

He’s bred for stamina, being by Tunis, and he’s only had five runs over hurdles. He’s a six-year-old with plenty of potential upside and could improve for the step up in distance.

The Stayers’ Hurdle division is ripe for a newcomer. Looking back, even Home By The Lee, and historically, three of the last four winners of the Stayers’ Hurdle have been older than ten. Jimmy Du Seuil is in there as well. He’s another horse who will love the ground.

That adds another unknown, as some of these horses could be very interesting in this race given that it’s hard to quantify how much they will improve for stepping up to three miles over hurdles.

Watch the full episode of The Irish Edge for more Punchestown Tips