15:30 Cheltenham 17 Mar 2022
Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
Grade 1 | GBB Race | Class 1 | 4YO plus
Winner £182,878 - 10 ran
jumped well, made all, clear at times, went left last, soon straightened up and asserted, stayed on well, well in command final 75 yards
mid-division on inside, not fluent 9th, pushed along after 3 out, headway 2 out, stayed on and went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, just held onto 2nd
towards rear, pushed along briefly before 7th and after 8th, ridden before 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, headway last, stayed on flat, almost took 2nd last stride, no impression on winner
mid-division, headway going well 3 out, went 2nd 2 out until hung left before last, held flat, stayed on
playing up just before start and started a couple of lengths behind rest, held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd before last, soon hung left, lost 2nd flat, faded
chased winner until 4th, stayed prominent, outpaced before 2 out, no impression after, ran on final 100 yards
held up in rear, not fluent 3 out, effort after 2 out, switched left before last, no impression on leaders
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, went 2nd from 4th until 2 out, outpaced before last, weakened flat
mid-division on outside, lost place 4th, closed before 5th, effort approaching 2 out, weakened well before last
chased leaders on outside and often pressing for 2nd, ridden and weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | £5.40 |
| CSF | £24.87 (2, 9) |
| Tricast | £174.08 (2, 9, 7) |
| Win | £5.00 (2) |
| Place | £1.80 (2), £1.90 (9), £1.90 (7) |
| Swinger | £5.50 (2, 7), £4.90 (2, 9), £7.20 (7, 9) |
| Exacta | £24.20 (2, 9) |
| Trifecta | £133.80 (2, 9, 7) |
Expert Analysis
This is not a vintage era for staying hurdlers, but it has provided some memorable races, including this one, in which Flooring Porter gained a back-to-back win in the most important staying hurdle of all, given a superb waiting ride in front by Danny Mullins. Less than nine lengths separated first from eighth, and the bare form cannot be rated all that highly by championship standards, in part because of ordinary early fractions (1.5s slower overall than the Pertemps earlier on the card but nearly that much quicker from the second-last).
FLOORING PORTER (h164 here and previously) followed up last year’s win under arguably the ride of the Festival, dictating and varying the pace without relinquishing the lead, jumping impeccably, given a further breather after 3 out then finding plenty, jumping left at the last and extending again near the finish with his jockey coaxing the best out of him rather than going for his whip. He has his quirks, sometimes giving trouble beforehand and hanging left in the race itself (pulled up at Punchestown on his start after Cheltenham last year), but he is talented with it when in the mood, which he has always been when partnered by Danny Mullins.
THYME HILL (h161 here and previously) is easily the most consistent of the big guns in this division but found one rival on a going day just too good again, held up in touch travelling comfortably and staying on without quite getting in a blow.
PAISLEY PARK (h161 here, 162 previously) came third for the second year running, having won in 2019, typically looking as if he might finish out with the washing when things heated up but finishing well. He remains pretty classy for all that he has lost a bit of his old zip.
CHAMP (h160 here, 163 previously) ran creditably but again did not entirely please with his finishing effort, in touch and still travelling well after 2 out but finding one pace when more than that was needed.
KLASSICAL DREAM (h159 here, 166 previously) ran respectably but exhibited some less desirable characteristics, reluctant to line up and last away as a result, travelling strongly through the race, as he usually does, but finding little after going best between the last 2 then jumping the last awkwardly. He probably has about them most talent in this division still but does not always show it.
HOME BY THE LEE (h156 here and previously) ran a good race, at least the equal of his second to Royal Kahala the time before, badly tapped for toe going to 2 out but rallying at the death.
KOSHARI (h156 here, 153 previously) seemed to run well though could make no further impression late on having been held up in last.
ROYAL KAHALA (h148 here, 154 previously) had a little more improvement to make to be placed in this company but did not do herself full justice, close up for a long way and still disputing second between the last 2, only to find little. The trip should not have been a problem given her win the time before.
SONG FOR SOMEONE (h149 here, 155 previously) was up markedly in trip and did not get home, emptying between the last 2. 20f is worth another go but he does seem a rung or 2 behind the leading hurdlers now.
LISNAGAR OSCAR (h0 here, 147 previously) has become inconsistent, up against it on recent form here anyway but going out like a light (being turned off) when push came to shove.
