Sam Spinner heads a field of 38 entries for the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle on the Cheltenham Festival’s own St. Patrick’s Day (March 15).
Jed O’Keefe’s 6-year-old is five from seven over hurdles and announced himself as a serious contender for the £325,000 Grade 1 prize when putting in a hugely pleasing display while winning a gruelling Long Walk Hurdle from the front at Ascot last month.
He’s been priced up at 4/1 for the showpiece race of the season for staying hurdlers and, as a popular horse with the public, will likely be supported further still as the countdown to the festival continues.
He’ll be taken on by a powerful Irish contingent, with all the usual suspects holding strong hands.
Gordon Elliott’s Apple’s Jade is left in the race at this stage, although all indications from her camp are that she’ll go to the Mares’ Hurdle, she’s been marked up as a 3/1f for this stiffer of tests.
Jessica Harrington’s Coral Cup winner Supasundae is a 7/1 shot.
Not to be outdone, Willie Mullins runs Albert Bartlett winner Penhill, a 7/1 shot also, and Let’s Dance (14/1) as well as six other entries.
Given the day that’ll be in it, though, it might be one of Richard Woollacot’s that attracts interest from the public.
Beer Goggles has improved hugely this season, winning four times and becoming a better type than anyone connected with the horse could have imagined.
He’s earned his place in a race like this and, although the 14/1 shot might be up against it, the name-backing hoards might be tempted to pin their hopes on him paying their Guinness bill for the day.
