3m (New) Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)
Paisley Park looked back to somewhere near his best last time out in the Long Walk Hurdle. He remains the one to beat, but is certainly no sure thing at 2/1 having had his problems in this last season. His short price opens up a lot of other options in this race.
Former Festival form is a big negative for FLOORING PORTER who has never competed at the track. But his progression through the staying hurdling division this season has been nothing short of spectaculor. This six-year-old has been ridden aggressively on his last two starts, paying dividends when claiming a competitive Irish Handicap before romping home in the Grade 1 Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle.
He comes into this unexposed and has form on quick ground demonstrating his versatility. He was 7/1 earlier in the week but has now drifted to too big a price at 12/1 and he could prove tough to catch if taking to the track.
Flooring Porter did beat Sire Du Berlais in what has to be said was a fairly lame attempt from the former two-time Pertemps winner. But Sire Du Berlais always saves his best for the Festival and remains with potential to land his first Grade 1 at a price a little on the skinny side at 11/2.
Fury Road has been backed in off-the-boards over the last few days, but he was outstayed by BEACON EDGE over 2m 5f on heavy ground at Navan in his warm-up for this. Noel Meade’s seven-year-old has been really progressive and actually has collateral form with some of the best horses in National Hunt at the moment.
They include a fourth behind Envoi Allen in a bumper over good ground by 3.25 lengths in his juvenile career and less than a length defeat to Honeysuckle back in November over 2m 4f.
Beacon Edge is yet to run on the track and is untested at three miles which are both negatives but he has bags of potential, a bit of class and travels like he will see out this trip. Noel Meade had a winner with Jeff Kiddar at 80/1 earlier in the week and this horse has probably got a little underestimated by the market as well at 18/1 with the drying ground likely to be in his favour.
1pt win Flooring Porter @12/1, 15:05 Cheltenham, Thursday
1pt win Beacon Edge @18/1, 15:05 Cheltenham, Thursday