SIRE Du Berlais (158) returned to form with vengeance to spring a 33/1 surprise in the Stayers’ Hurdle, further enhancing a Cheltenham record which now reads 4, 1, 1, 2, 11, 1 from six visits.

Prior to Thursday, there was no indication of the Festival veteran recapturing the form which saw him win the Pertemps Final in successive years or finish second to Flooring Porter (155) on his previous attempt to win this marquee prize.

However, it was clear from an early stage of the Grade 1 contest the fire had been reignited in the 11-year-old as he travelled with purpose just behind the speed on his way to record a career-best time figure courtesy of covering the three miles 5.1secs or 25 lengths quicker than Pertemps winner Good Time Jonny.

The race also saw Flooring Porter rediscover his zest for racing as, in the hands of regular pilot Danny Mullins, the partnership played out their usual tactics to a nicety from the front.

Gavin Cromwell’s gelding matched the rating which saw him beat Sire Du Berlais to land the first of his successes in this race in 2021.

If any further proof of the time figure were needed it was provided by Teahupoo (158+) matching his Hatton’s Grace Hurdle figure as he gate-crashed the old stagers’ party, eventually being awarded the runner-up spot in the stewards’ room at the expense of Dashel Drasher (157).

Slowest

Ultimately, the closing stages were the slowest of the day as Sire Du Berlais covered the ground from the second last hurdle in 56.4secs, compared to the 54.3secs and 54.5secs it took Good Time Jonny and You Wear It Well respectively.

However, in support of the big time figure, the final circuit time was just 0.1secs slower than the mares who covered considerably less ground and didn’t having Flooring Porter blazing the trail down the back straight.

A comparison with the Pertemps has to take into account the Grade 1 field being at least 20 lengths in front when heading out for the final circuit, so the differential of 0.5secs can also be viewed positively.

The strong pace was also a contributing factor to Home By The Lee (155) racing out of his comfort zone for the most part of the race as a string of errors, most notably at the third hurdle, derailed his challenge even before he almost ran off the track at the second last hurdle.

To his credit he stayed on stoutly thereafter so can be given another chance on softer ground.

Irrespective of the slow final time of the Pertemps, the performance of Good Time Jonny (141+) was outstanding as he came from last to first from the top of the hill to win decisively. Tony Martin could well be plotting a course to the Stayers’ Hurdle next year.

Gavin Sheehan crowned a fine season with his front running ride aboard You Wear It Well (139+) as he elicited a sequence of accurate leaps from Jamie Snowden’s mare.

However, there was more to victory than just her hurdling as she found plenty for pressure, firstly turning away race favourite Luccia (134) before holding the late challenge of Magical Zoe (137) and Halka Du Tabert (137) who were both finishing to better effect judged on their closing sectionals of 53.9secs and 54.4secs respectively.

Star upstages Envoi Allen

ENVOI Allen (155) proved an able deputy for Allaho as he retained the Ryanair Chase for Cheveley Park Stud, although on the day his achievements on the clock were surpassed by Stage Star (160+) as Paul Nicholls’ gelding signalled his claims for the Grade 1 prize next year with victory in the Turners Chase.

The difference in overall time and distance covered hints at the Turners Chase being the faster of the two races even before the split screen view confirms the superiority.

The pace in the Ryanair was marginally quicker in the early stages of the comparison, although the winners left the ground at the same time at the fourth last fence.

The closing sectionals were all about the novice event as Stage Star completed his race in 74.3secs, 2.9secs quicker than Envoi Allen who covered the same ground in 77.2secs. In fact, the first five home in the Turners were all quicker than the Ryanair winner.

Notlongtillmay (158) looked to have headed Stage Star on the home turn and, despite coming off second best with the winner, stuck to his task well to post 75.0secs for his closing split.

Below par

The initial reaction to the race was Mighty Potter (155) and Appreciate It (155) must have run below par, although the data suggests they didn’t as they posted 74.9secs and 74.7secs respectively despite hanging to opposite sides of the track from where they challenged.

Unexpected Party (153+) completed the quintet as he stopped the clock for his sectional at 75.4secs despite never being in the race.

Shishkin (153) eventually claimed second in the Ryanair Chase, finishing off his race in 77.7secs, despite a catastrophic error at the third last which Nico de Boinville performed a miracle to survive.

I would have my reservations about supporting Nicky Henderson’s gelding even when stepping up in trip to three miles.

Festival Plate

Seddon (143) shadowed course specialist and last year’s winner Coole Cody in the early stages of the Plate although when his rival faded there was no stopping John McConnell’s gelding providing his trainer with compensation for the fall of Mahler Mission.

The time figure was the pick of the handicaps with the son of Stowaway also posting a comparable closing sectional to the Ryanair winner, as he stopped the clock at 77.9secs.

For the record, Angels Dawn (137) finished off his race in 80.7secs, as he denied the well supported Stumptown (137) victory in the Kim Muir Chase as they both enhanced their profile as staying chasers.