Three big-priced Stayers' Hurdle contenders, including 50-1 and 66-1 outsiders

Klassical Dream's defeat at Gowran Park on Thursday means a shake-up in the betting for the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on March 17. Three of our team provide their thoughts on the race now.

Klassical Dream deposed as Stayers' favourite after Royal Kahala causes an upset

Buveur D'Air: 'He has class to be dangerous'

This could be heart ruling head but Buveur D'Air, who needs little introduction to festival fans having won the Champion Hurdle in 2017 and 2018, appeals.

Off since a solid fourth in the Aintree Hurdle in April, he has the Champion option again and next week's Contenders Hurdle at Sandown has been mentioned as a return slot, so perhaps 2m is in the minds of trainer Nicky Henderson and owner JP McManus.

Buveur D'Air: rates a potential Stayers' Hurdle threat if he lasts three miles at the festivalCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Honeysuckle aside, though, they have the Champion covered to a degree with Epatante and, while the same could be said about Champ in the Stayers', he's 11-4 against 50-1 for Buveur D'Air, whose class over shorter could make him dangerous if it lasts over 3m.

I can't see stamina stopping him, although he's 11 and has had just two runs since November 2019.
James Burn, Lambourn correspondent

Melon: 'He's a live each-way player at 33-1'

Klassical Dream's Galmoy disappointment has blown the race wide open and Champ has the chance to solidify his position at the head of the market at Cheltenham on Saturday.

It's difficult to know whether there is much juice in his current odds, though, and Flooring Porter will surely keep him honest if he comes back to the form he showed when winning last year's race.

Further down the pecking order, Melon could be a live player from an each-way perspective at 33-1 if he goes there.

It's possible a tilt at the Ryanair Chase will tempt connections, but he won't be able to beat an on-song Allaho in that Grade 1, whereas the Stayers' Hurdle doesn't have the same type of standout contender.

We know Melon saves his best for Cheltenham in the spring, having finished second in the 2017 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, the 2018 and 2019 Champion Hurdles and the 2020 Marsh Novices' Chase. The Stayers' would be a highly interesting route to explore with him.
Mark Boylan, reporter

Song For Someone: 'He's crying out for a step up in trip'

I suspect Willie Mullins might rue his decision to run Klassical Dream so quickly after his Christmas victory considering his outstanding record fresh.

That wasn't the horse we saw at Leopardstown or Punchestown and I'd worry he might have left the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham behind now. It might even be worth Klassical Dream waiting until Punchestown in three months' time.

I believe Song For Someone should be considered for the Stayers' at a standout 66-1. This classy hurdler ran a fine second to Buzz giving him 6lb on his return, before looking to be crying out for a step up in trip when dropped to 2m1f behind Guard Your Dreams in the International Hurdle last time. He has substantial potential for improvement over 3m.
Robbie Wilders, tipster

Stayers' Hurdle betting

Paddy Power: 11-4 Champ, 9-2 Flooring Porter, 5 Klassical Dream, 11-2 Thyme Hill, 14 Royal Kahala, Sporting John, 20 Paisley Park, Sire Du Berlais, 25 bar

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Upping The Ante star Gavin Lynch joins the Racing Post roster for a weekly Saturday column throughout the jumps season. He'll offer a guide to the weekend action, highlight the horses and races to watch and share his punting wisdom. Read it every Saturday in the Racing Post or online from 4pm every Friday, exclusively for Members' Club subscribers. Sign up to Members' Club here for more top jumps season insight.