2021 Stayers’ Hurdle Betting Tips – Side with Sire Du Berlais and Festival Form
Cheltenham Festival Betting Tips · Thursday, 18th Mar 2021 - 15:05
Author:
Jamie Clark
Publish Date:
Tuesday, 16th Mar 2021
Topic:
Horsebetting Tip
Experiences:
Our experienced editor
Topic:
Horsebetting Tip
Experiences:
Our experienced editor
Jamie Clark was Sports Editor of Coral bookmakers between 2014 and 2017 during their merger with Labrokes and a key period for the British betting industry. Working as a bookie’s runner on the point to point circuit in the Midlands and at Market Rasen Racecourse where his late godfather had a trackside pitch growing up, he has had ties to horse racing all of his life. A regular visitor to Cheltenham during the National Hunt season and York over the summer, he has been involved in Horsebetting.com since its inception. Jamie now brings you his take on major news stories from the racing world and those all-important betting tips.
McManus stayer has had Festival hat-trick in mind all season
In the 3m Grade 1 Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival this Thursday (15:05), Sire Du Berlais looks worth a wager to make it three consecutive wins at the meeting. Owned by legendary gambler JP McManus, this nine-year-old has twice carried heavy weights to victory in the Pertemps Final on the same card in each of the last two years.
Sire Du Berlais defied a 7lb rise in his rating when staying on gamely and defeating The Storyteller, who re-opposes, by half-a-length in 2020. further 6lb increase in the weights forced his connections into going down the Stayers’ Hurdle route this season.
A gelding by Poliglote, Sire Du Berlais stayed on really strongly and captured the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle at Navan over 2m 4f on reappearance this term. He also confirmed the form with French Dynamite in the Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle.
However, runs at Ireland’s festive meeting have not been a happy hunting ground for Sire Du Berlais. He was a disappointing 6 3/4 lengths further at Leopardstown and had The Storyteller in front of him. Now back at a track which suits him, however, he looks the one to be on. Sir Du Berlais is 5/1 with BetVictor for a third course and distance win.
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
A minor injury rules last year’s Albert Bartlett fourth and ante post second-favourite Thyme Hill out of this contest. It leaves Paisley Park well clear at the head of the betting here for trainer Emma Lavelle and inspiration owner Andrew Gemmell.
As the winner of the Stayers’ Hurdle in 2019, this nine-year-old by Oscar has been a mainstay of the division for some time. Paisley Park never recovered from his customary flat spot and ran seventh when making a defence of his crown 12 months ago. He was found to have a heart issue after the race.
Thankfully, that has cleared up. Paisley Park chased home Thyme Hill giving weight away in the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on reappearance, then reversed form off level terms with a superb display of stamina in the Long Walk at Ascot.
The way he kept on superbly from what looked a hopeless position turning for home showed he retains all his old ability. Paisley Park may well regain the title here, but does face a number of new challengers. He commands respect at 2/1 with bet365, so my opposition to him is on price alone.
The Storyteller a solid each-way bet
Flooring Porter justified his supplementary entry in the Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle by landing a first Grade 1 for jockey Jonathan Moore. There isn’t much juice his odds each-way, though, and he may have caught his rivals out in Ireland that day. Greater value lie elsewhere.
Instead, The Storyteller has been hugely consistent over both hurdles and fences this season, so rates a solid each-way wager here. It has been a lengthy campaign for the 10-year-old, but his form figures stack up.
In his last seven starts, The Storyteller hasn’t finished outside the first two and has been back to his best. After taking a Grade 3 at Punchestown, the son of Shantou scored at the highest level with victory in the Down Royal Champion Chase.
The Storyteller then chased home Flooring Porter at Leopardstown over Christmas, reversing past Cheltenham hurdles form with Sire Du Berlais. He also ran a blinder in the Irish Gold Cup when runner-up to Kemboy. If replicating these efforts, The Storyteller should hit the frame at 12/1 with Betfred for the Stayers’ Hurdle.
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
New reg only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via ‘My Offers’ page within 30 days. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play, min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max. extra winnings £100. Once claimed, 30-day expiry. Cashed out, System & EW bets do not qualify. Other Promotional Play Restrictions Apply. T&Cs apply.
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
