Sun Bets Stayers Hurdle Preview - Cheltenham Festival

Published on: 16/03/2017

Sun Bets Stayers Hurdle Preview - Cheltenham Festival

March 16, 2016 15:30pm - Cheltenham

Cheltenham Festival

Distance: 2m 7f 213y

Grade: 1

Runners: 13

Winner: £170,850.00

Going: Good (Soft in places)

Unowhatimeanharry will head off as favourite in this field and justifiably so. His progression in the last two years has been remarkable and he remains unbeaten in his eight starts under Harry Fry. He won the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle last year and has moved comfortably up the the next level this season beating Ballyoptic by six lengths in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in November. That was followed by a Grade 1 win at Ascot over a field that featured Lil Rockerfeller.

With odds set to settle at around 11/8 on race day, value-seeking punters might turn their noses up but everyone likes a banker on their card and there a few better contenders in Thursday. Those looking for better value should maybe look at the forecast market or track down an each-way pick.

One contender for the each-way punt is Shaneshill. With seven Grade 1 wins under his belt and three runners-up spots at the Festival, including last year`s RSA Chase, he has plenty going for him. Now back over the hurdles, he has been showing well and comes here on the back of a Grade 2 win at Gowran Park in January.

Betting odds and tips

It`s hard to look beyond Unowhatimeanharry and even at 11/8, he could be worth a wager. There are plenty of contenders to grab a place in this race but Shaneshill stands out and offers great value at 12/1.

Unowhatimeanharry can be backed at a best price of 11/6 and Shaneshill can be backed at a best price of 12/1 - both with Bet365.

Remember, Bet365 are offering guaranteed best odds on all Cheltenham races and a 100% deposit bonus up to £200 for new accounts.

Sun Bets Stayers Hurdle winners - Last three years:

2014: More of That (6) - Barry Geraghty (Jonjo O`Neill)

2015: Cole Harden (6) - Gavin Sheehan (Warren Greatrex)

2016: Thistlecrack (8) - Tom Scudamore (Colin Tizzard)

By Neil Morris

Published on: 16/03/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (16/03/2017 09:35:19) but are subject to change.