Cheltenham 2026 Stayers’ Hurdle tips

The Stayers’ Hurdle is usually all about stamina but conditions can play a huge role in shaping the result. With the ground drying out all the time it could have a significant impact on how the race unfolds.

That may not be ideal for defending champion Teahupoo, who tends to produce his very best form when the mud is flying.

If the surface does continue to dry out in the build-up to the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, it could bring several of his rivals much closer into the equation and make this year’s renewal far more competitive than it might first appear.

Quick picks for the Stayers’ Hurdle

• HONESTY POLICY – 6/1 with SBK
• MA SHANTOU – 7/1 with 247bet

Cheltenham 3.20 Stayers’ Hurdle – Key stats and trends

Age

• 10 of the last 12 winners were aged between 6 and 8
• 6 of the last 12 winners were aged 7
• 2 of the last 3 winners were aged 10 or older

Price

• 3 of the last 12 winners were favourites
• 5 of the last 12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
• 1 of the last 6 winners were favourites

Form

• 5 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before the Stayers Hurdle
• 11 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 previous run at Cheltenham
• 7 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 previous win at Cheltenham

Rating

• 9 of the last 12 winners were rated 156 or higher
• 3 of the last 5 winners were rated 160 or higher
• 1 of the last 12 winners were rated below 152

Other pointers

• 13 of the last 16 winners had won over three miles or further previously
• 11 of the last 14 winners had won a Grade 1 or Grade 2 hurdle before Cheltenham
• 7 of the last 9 winners were sent off 6/1 or shorter

Stayers’ Hurdle preview & tips

I know Teahupoo handles better ground but I have no doubt he is at his best when it is Soft or worse and it is looking unlikely that he is going to get his conditions.

He was beaten at 7/4 last year and at around 2/1 there doesn’t seem any juice in his price. HONESTY POLICY will appreciate the drying conditions and was a big eye-catcher when third in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot back in December.

He wasn’t given a hard time and caught the eye with how he stuck to the task in the closing stages. This test is going to be ideal and he looks good value to turn over his stablemate.

Kabral Du Mathan looks set to take his chance for team Skelton but I think you’d have to worry if he will stay this far. He was only beaten a neck in the Scottish Champion Hurdle when with Paul Nicholls and is now tackling a stiff 3 miles.

The ground being on the quicker side is definitely to his liking too though so I guess that does bring him into it.

Each way angle?

I have been really impressed with MA SHANTOU and he put in a fairly monstrous performance to thrash Impose Toi in the Cleeve Hurdle here back in January.

He has won 3 from 4 this season and has form in a decent surface so the ground certainly won’t hinder him. He could still be open to further improvement and at 7/1 looks the best each way alternative on offer.

My picks:

1. HONESTY POLICY

• Trainer: Gordon Elliott
• Form: 21112-3
• Age: 6
• Weight: 11-10

Bet on HONESTY POLICY to win the Stayers’ Hurdle at 6/1 with SBK

2. MA SHANTOU

• Trainer: Emma Lavelle
• Form: 3-118-21137-11211
• Age: 7
• Weight: 11-10

Bet on MA SHANTOU to win the Stayers’ Hurdle at 7/1 with 247bet

Last 12 winners of the Stayers’ Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival 2026 news, tips and free bets:

• Cheltenham 2026 free bets and betting offers
• Cheltenham ante-post tips
• Cheltenham Festival 2026 favourites and outsiders
• Cheltenham 2026 horses to watch
• Cheltenham 2026 top trainers + jockeys
• Willie Mullins winners
• Nicky Henderson winners
• Gordon Elliott winners

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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