3m (2m7f213y) (New) Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
Teahupoo and Bob Olinger come back to reclaim their crown, but I like the new kids on the block here. KABRAL DU MATHAN has looked a really class individual this season, he scooted away in a handicap hurdle on his first start for Dan Skelton and looked so impressive when he put a decent field to the sword in the Relkeel Hurdle. Jingko Blue massively franked that form on Wednesday when winning hte BetMGM Handicap Hurdle and Kabral Du Mathan has the world at his feet if he stays the trip.
A look at his breeding suggests he has a dosage index of 0.33 (anything <1 is strong for staying purposes) and I think he will have no problem staying this trip assuming he can settle at the start of the race.
The other staying hurdler on the up is MA SHANTOU who comes into this off the back of three consecutive wins at the track. He has just looked better and better this season and firmly put himself in the picture for this when dispatching of Impose Toi by seven lengths in the Cleeve Hurdle. It’s a bit soon to be making comparisons to Paisley Park for Emma Lavelle, but the similarities are there with Paisley Park having come through the handicap circuit. Ma Shantou could be the now horse and I like his chances here.
Honesty Policy is another young gun that can run well, but I’m not a big fan of his preparation for this against some more battle-hardened sorts.
1pt win Kabral Du Mathan @5/1, 15:20 Cheltenham, Thursday
1pt win Ma Shantou @7/1, 15:20 Cheltenham, Thursday