Former Grand National hero Noble Yeats produced another fine staying performance on the big stage on Saturday, as the Emmet Mullins-trained nine-year-old stormed to victory in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day and has duly propelled into the picture for the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on March 14.
A stunning winner of the 2022 Grand National at Aintree, Noble Yeats tasted victory for only the third time since that momentous win on Merseyside at the weekend and he now has to be considered a leading contender in a Stayers’ Hurdle renewal that is phenomenally wide open, and will see plenty head to day three of the festival with a chance.
With the news that French-trained raider Theleme will miss the race through injury, the Stayers’ Hurdle betting is devilishly difficult to work out. Currently, Irish Point and Teahupoo are fighting it out for favouritism, but Noble Yeats was slashed into around 10/1 for the race and with the Stayers set to be a prep for another crack at the Grand National in April then the Mullins-trained star has to be considered.
A host of old favourites lined up for the Cleeve Hurdle with former Stayers’ Hurdle hero Paisley Park yet again having to settle for second place in Graded company this season and Emma Lavelle’s charge is around a 25/1 mark for the Stayers’ Hurdle, with the likes of Dashel Drasher, Strong Leader and Champ all putting up brave efforts in defeat in what was an epic finish. However, Noble Yeats is the horse that could well be a significant player in the Stayers’ Hurdle and he will head back to Prestbury Park with a notable chance of playing a starring role.
Down the years, the Stayers’ Hurdle has always been a real war of attrition with the main trait needed to win the race being stamina and Noble Yeats has that in abundance, as he showed up the Cheltenham hill at the weekend that he rockets home in the closing stages. Now, while the Grand National is certainly going to be the prime target for the Mullins team, as they look to regain the crown they won two years ago, but the Stayers’ Hurdle should work as an ideal prep for the race and he has to be considered one of the leading fancies for the race now.
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