The oldest Championship race at the Cheltenham Festival is the Stayers' Hurdle. The Ryanair Chase now occupies the prime 4:00pm slot on day three, but for many, the Stayers' Hurdle remains the feature contest on St Patrick's Day.
Here's a look at the 2026 Stayers' Hurdle, betting and run-down of the headline entries.
2026 Stayers' Hurdle Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Teahupoo | 6/4 |
| Honesty Policy | 7/2 |
| Bob Olinger | 6/1 |
| Ma Shantou | 7/1 |
| Kabral Du Mathan | 8/1 |
| Ballyburn | 12/1 |
| Impose Toi | 12/1 |
| Bar | 16/1 |
[Updated on 10.2.2026]
2026 Stayers' Hurdle Entries
Teahupoo was forced to relinquish his Stayers' Hurdle crown 12 months ago, as Rachael Blackmore delivered Bob Olinger perfectly to take down the favourite. Since then, Teahupoo has won three more Grade Ones and Gordon Elliott's star is the 7/4 favourite to win back his Cheltenham Festival crown come March.
Gordon Elliott's second-string, Honesty Policy finished a close third behind Impose Toi on his seasonal reappearance in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, and now sits second behind stablemate Teahupoo in the betting. Impose Toi had risen to the head of the three-mile hurdling ranks in the UK this term, winning the Long Distance Hurdle and the Long Walk, but suffered a shock defeat in the Cleeve Hurdle on Trials Day, and has subsequently slipped down the market.
The winner that day was Ma Shantou, who trounced Impose Toi to claim his third win of the season around Cheltenham, and Emma Lavelle's stayer shot up to fourth in the Cheltenham Festival betting. Dan Skelton's Kabral Du Mathan was cut into a single-figure price after winning the Relkeel Hurdle, but may be saved for the Aintree Hurdle instead.
The winner that day was Ma Shantou, who trounced Impose Toi to claim his third win of the season around Cheltenham, and Emma Lavelle's stayer shot up to fourth in the Cheltenham Festival betting. Dan Skelton's Kabral Du Mathan was cut into a single-figure price after winning the Relkeel Hurdle, but may be saved for the Aintree Hurdle instead.
Bob Olinger finished a seven-length second behind Teahupoo on his reappearance over Christmas, and was cut into a single-figure price to retain his Festival crown. Ballyburn drifted after a disappointing third at Leopardstown. Mares' Hurdle favourite, Wodhooh was handed a Stayers' Hurdle entry, along with stablemate The Yellow Clay.
Along with Impose Toi, Nicky Henderson could be further represented by former Betfair Hurdle winner Iberico Lord, and last year's Pertemps Final winner Doddiethegreat. Other potential runners in the feature on day three of the Cheltenham Festival include former two-time winner Flooring Porter, Joseph O'Brien's Home By The Lee, course winner French Ship, and former Grade One-winning novice Potters Charm.
Along with Impose Toi, Nicky Henderson could be further represented by former Betfair Hurdle winner Iberico Lord, and last year's Pertemps Final winner Doddiethegreat. Other potential runners in the feature on day three of the Cheltenham Festival include former two-time winner Flooring Porter, Joseph O'Brien's Home By The Lee, course winner French Ship, and former Grade One-winning novice Potters Charm.