mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra towards finish
in touch, went 3rd 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last
hampered 9th, always behind
tracked leader, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, ran on
behind, headway after 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened
held up, 7th when fell 9th
in touch, pushed along from 8th, weakened 3 out
jumped right, led, mistake 10th, headed 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
The Stayers' Hurdle sees the Francois Doumen-trained Baracouda attempt to win the race for the third-successive time. The likes of, in particular, last year's runner-up, Iris's Gift, the Irish mare Solerina, and the up-and-coming five-year-old, Crystal d'Ainay, will be trying their hardest to wrestle the king's crown from his head, but we nominate Baracouda to win again. The nine-year-old gelding has formed a tremendous partnership with the trainer's son Thierry and, if he's on top of his game, official ratings tell us that he will be hard to beat. Iris's Gift ran a blinder to be second last year and has to be respected again, even though he has been lightly campaigned this season. On form, there is little to choose between his stablemate, Sh Boom, and Crystal d'Ainay, as these two have been separated by only a length in their last two meetings, registering one win apiece. They should both run well again, as should Solerina, who is very tough and who has already scored Grade 3 level. Rosaker, a scorer in Grade 3 company last time, also has a shout for a place, while Ruby Walsh has elected to ride the enigmatic Holy Orders ahead of Davenport Milenium, who ran in Tuesday's Champion Hurdle, and, to be fair, they both have ability enough to play a part in proceedings if running to their best. The others have to improve markedly on what they have so far achieved, although the good-class chaser Redemption's presence in the line-up adds some intrigue, but he too has to improve a good deal over hurdles to play a leading part. The road, then, leads back to Baracouda, who can create another piece of Cheltenham history.
