Ma Shantou is attracting attention ahead of the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The Stayers’ Hurdle is the fifth event on the third day at Cheltenham. Despite losing its “feature race” slot to the Ryanair Chase, it is expected to draw significant interest from punters.
Ma Shantou’s Progression
Ma Shantou is a dual winner. Emma Lavelle’s seven‑year‑old has made rapid strides this season, beginning the campaign in handicaps.
The horse put up an impressive trial in the Cleeve Hurdle in January.
The Competition
Teahupoo and Bob Olinger, past winners of the race, represent the old guard in three-mile hurdling. Kabral Du Mathan, Honesty Policy and Ma Shantou are all young, progressive stayers.
Teahupoo has been a solid favourite for Thursday’s race since December, when he beat Bob Olinger by seven lengths in the Grade One Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown. However, neither horse has much in hand of their younger rivals on ratings.
Kabral Du Mathan was a ready winner of the two-and-a-half-mile Relkeel Hurdle on New Year’s Day but his stamina is unproven over three.
Other Cheltenham Tips
Bambino Fever and Oldschool Outlaw could prove to be a head-to-head in the Cheltenham 1.20. Willie Mullins’s mare went down by half a length on heavy ground at Naas in December, but the winner had the benefit of a run under her belt and the return to better ground here should tip the balance towards Bambino Fever.
Jordans Cross is also being tipped. The novice handicap chase at the Trials meeting has an exceptional record as a pointer towards the festival and Jordans Cross, the last-gasp winner this year, was value for more than his narrow margin. A 6lb rise for that win looks more than fair, not least after the runner-up, Quebecois, franked the form with a close third in the Ultima on Tuesday.
Lossiemouth’s late – and glorious – switch to the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday has left Wodhooh with a straightforward task in order to register a first success at the highest level.
Last year in this race Fact To File was untouchable.
Selections Elsewhere
Selections for other races include:
- Hexham 1.05 Biglesisback
- Hexham 1.42 Knockeranna Rose
- Hexham 2.22 Didntgotwenty
- Hexham 3.02 Planned Paradise
- Hexham 3.42 Gardener
- Hexham 4.22 Court At Slip
- Hexham 5.00 Another High Five
- Newcastle 3.48 Raft Up
- Newcastle 4.28 Alpine Sierra
- Newcastle 5.08 Golspie
- Newcastle 5.45 Portman Blue
- Newcastle 6.15 Havana Jag
- Newcastle 6.45 Irish Nectar
- Newcastle 7.15 Trilby
- Newcastle 7.45 Captain Kinsella
- Newcastle 8.15 Pallas Lord
- Chelmsford 4.49 He’s Our Cracker
- Chelmsford 5.30 Respond
- Chelmsford 6.00 Forbidden Colours
- Chelmsford 6.30 Frankali
- Chelmsford 7.00 Shebara
- Chelmsford 7.30 Moonjid
- Chelmsford 8.00 Tonal
- Chelmsford 8.30 Warning Symbol
Ma Shantou (3.20) makes more appeal in the Stayers Hurdle, according to some tipsters.