16:00 Cheltenham Tips: Monmiral at 40/1 in the Stayers’ Hurdle is a Big Price

Thursday marks day three of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival and the championship event is the Stayers’ Hurdle at 16:00. This division has been holding out for a hero since the mighty Big Bucks retired and we could have another wide open renewal on our hands. 

Here's Liam's Runners Guide to all of the 15 horses set to contest this race along with those Stayers' Hurdle Tips...

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Stayers' Hurdle Runners Guide

Bob Olinger (Henry de Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore) 20/1 

Top class on his day and is actually unbeaten in three starts at Cheltenham. He's been well beaten by Home By The Lee twice this season, however, and his unbeaten course record could be set to end. 

Buddy One (Paul Gilligan/Jack Gilligan) 40/1 

Finished a respectable fourth in this race last year but has struggled largely over fences this term. Returning to hurdles should help and he likes the track, but he may find life harder in this warmer renewal. 

Crambo (Fergal O'Brien/Johnny Burke) 28/1 

Two-time Long Walk Hurdler winner Crambo might be better going right-handed and he was well beaten behind Gowel Road in the Cleeve Hurdle last time out. It's not out of the question that he can run well, but O'Brien's gelding struggled last year. 

Franciscan Rock (Mouse Morris/Gavin Brouder) 33/1 

Displayed a good attitude to get the better of a Willie Mullins runner in a Pertemps qualifier at Punchestown in November and improved to finish third in the Galmoy Hurdle. More is needed here and others are preferred. 

Ga Law (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) 33/1 

Very ground dependent but also a consistent performer in handicap chases. He's not been seen over hurdles since finishing last of six in a Grade 2 at Wetherby in 2023 and is probably best watched on that evidence. 

Gowel Road (Nigel Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies) 18/1 

Useful yard stick who tends to run his race more often than not. It was a career-best effort from the nine-year-old when winning the Cleeve Hurdle last time but he has a bit to find at the weights. 

Home By The Lee (Joseph O'Brien/JJ Slevin) 6/1 

Fancied by many this year and he's definitely having a good campaign thus far. You would have to be concerned about the fact that Joseph O'Brien's runner has been beaten in this race three times before and that is a major problem. 

Langer Dan (Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton) 12/1 

Won back-to-back Coral Cups in the last two seasons and always comes alive in the spring. It can be dangerous to write him off but having been well beaten in all three starts this season, confidence isn't very high. 

Lucky Place (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville) 7/1 

One of very few Nicky Henderson horses to run with credit at the Festival last year, finishing fourth in the Coral Cup. He has progressed into a smart graded performer this year and is perhaps one for the shortlist. 

Monmiral (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) 40/1 

Stable form is a serious concern this season but he did win the Pertemps Final in 2024 and ran with credit when second to Gowel Road in the Cleeve on trials day. Likely to be ridden patiently and will be suited by a strong end to end gallop. 

Mystical Power (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) 14/1 

One of last season's top novice hurdlers over two miles but has looked a shadow of his former self in two runs so far. This feels like a last throw of the dice and whilst he could go close, it's hard to be confident. 

Nemean Lion (Kerry Lee/Richard Patrick) 25/1 

Could hardly have been in better form this season, finishing second on seasonal debut before going on to complete a hat-trick. Did well to win the National Spirit Hurdle last time but is unproven at the trip and looks a little up against it. 

Rocky's Diamond (Declan Queally/Shane Fitzgerald) 14/1 

One of the most progressive horses around right now and took a huge step forward to win the Galmoy at Gowran in January. Further improvement seems likely but it would need to be a lot in order to come out on top here. 

Teahupoo (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy) 6/4 

It remains a mystery that he failed to win this two years ago but he made no mistake when running out a comfortable winner in 2024. Second on seasonal reappearance at Fairyhouse in December, the eight-year-old has been prepared the same way again and should be going close. 

The Wallpark (Gordon Elliott/Mark Walsh) 7/1 

Another one for the improver category, he cosily dispatched Gowel Road in a Pertemps qualifier in October and wasn't beaten far when stepped up to Grade 1 level at Ascot. The track and style of race will be more suitable here and JP McManus bought him for a reason. 

Verdict 

The Wallpark @ 7/1 & Monmiral @ 40/1 

Long term favourite Teahupoo looks good to take on this year and it could be stablemate THE WALLPARK that gets the job done. He was a very comfortable winner of a Pertemps qualifier here in October and is clearly a progressive sort. More will be needed but the stiff test of stamina will suit and he should be in the mix at the business end of the race. 

Paul Nicholls has had a bitterly disappointing campaign on the whole but a big run from outsider MONMIRAL here could provide the perfect tonic. He was strong at the finish when winning the Pertemps last season and is another one that will be suited by a solid gallop.