A TOTAL of 51 entries, up from 38 last year have been entered in the Grade 1 Sun Racing Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Last year Penhill defied a 323-day absence when defeating Supasundae by two lengths in an all Irish finish and both are entered again. Penhill is again set to head to the three-mile hurdling championship again without a recent run and is going for a third successive win at festival, having won the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle in 2017.

The seven-year-old had not raced since the Punchestown Festival 11 months previously. Willie Mullins is going for three in a row as he was also successful in 2017 with Nichols Canyon. There are a record 23 Irish-trained entries with Mullins, responsible for 11 contenders in total.

The Mullins’ contingent also features 10-time Grade 1 scorer Faugheen, the 2015 Champion Hurdle victor, who relished the step up to three miles when beating Penhill by 13 lengths at the Punchestown Festival in April. He was none the worse for a heavy fall at Christmas.

Recent winner Bachasson, Bapuame, Benie Des Dieux and Limini are all owned by Rich Ricci while Champion Hurdle runner-up Melon is a surprise entry.

GORDON ELLIOTT

Gigginstown House Stud-owned stars Apple’s Jade and Samcro, both also entered in the Champion Hurdle, headline eight entries for trainer Gordon Elliott. Pallasator, winner of the 2018 Queen Alexandra Stakes on the flat at Royal Ascot, and last year’s Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle scorer Farclas are also engaged. Apple’s Jade is more likely to run in the Mares’ Hurdle, while the Champion was Samcro’s expected target before he was found to be suffering from an infection.

The leading British-trained hope is Paisley Park (Emma Lavelle), following victories in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on December 22nd and the valuable Grade 3 Betfair Exchange Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at Haydock Park the previous month.

Sam Spinner looked a potential star when landing the same two races as Paisley Park last season but disappointed when favourite for the 2018 Sun Racing Stayers’ Hurdle, finishing fifth.

The seven-year-old has been let down by his jumping on both starts this season, having unseated his rider in the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury and the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot when it looked as though he tried to refuse.

Trainer Jedd O’Keeffe reported: “Sam Spinner is in good form. We don’t really know why he behaved like that at Ascot. The padded hurdles may have given him a fright, but he has schooled since and seems fine.

“The plan is still to go to the galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle [Festival Trials Day, Cheltenham, January 26th] .”

Another northern challenger, Midnight Shadow (Sue Smith) marked himself down as a contender with a smooth success in the Grade 2 Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle over an extended two and a half miles at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

Four-time Grade 1-winning grey Bristol De Mai, a well-established top-class chaser is a surprising entry for leading owners Simon Munir & Isaac Souede who have three entries in total, including Wholestone, third last year.

Colin Tizzard’s entries include West Approach and Kilbricken Storm, winner of the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle last year.

Others entries to note include JP McManus’ dual Grade 1 scorer Yanworth and previous festival winner Unowhatimeanharry, a beaten favourite in 2017.

The 2015 Coral Cup winner Aux Ptits Soins impressed when taking a three-mile handicap hurdle by seven lengths at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

Three who were novice chasing – Black Op, Lil Rockerfeller and Kilbricken Storm – are likely to revert to the smaller obstacles.

STAYERS HURDLE ODDS: 5/1 Penhill, 6/1 Apple’s Jade, 7/1 Supasundae, 8/1 Faugheen, 10/1 Paisley Park, 12/1 Midnight Shadow