Talking Horses: City Island can pull off surprise in Stayers' Hurdle


The selection can foil Paisley Park’s bid for a double in Thursday’s highlight at the Cheltenham Festival

Paisley Park seems set to be a hot favourite for a second consecutive success in the Stayers Hurdle, having kept his unbeaten record since then. So punters must ask themselves, is the eight-year-old as solid as Envoi Allen or fallible like Defi Du Seuil?

He has looked more straightforward this year but this is his toughest test since last year’s Festival and it is disconcerting to see the strike-rate of Emma Lavelle’s yard has been declining since the heady days of November. With a fascinating cast of characters in opposition, it is very tempting to look elsewhere.

Related: J P McManus rues one that got away on a remarkable day at Cheltenham

Cheltenham 1.30 Faugheen (nb) 2.10 Relegate 2.50 A Plus Tard 3.30 City Island 4.10 Simply The Betts (nap) 4.50 Concertista 5.30 Just A Sting

Doncaster 1.15 No Getaway 1.45 Knockrobin 2.25 Operatic Export 3.05 Uisce Ur 3.45 Premier D'Troice 4.25 Schiaparannie 5.05 Oksana

Hexham 1.55 Lostnfound 2.35 Aniknam 3.15 Giovanni Change 3.55 Zerachiel 4.35 Duty Girl 5.15 Cavalry Scout 5.50 She's All Vintage

Chelmsford 6.00 Haayem 6.30 Transition 7.00 Dragon Sun 7.30 Restless Rose 8.00 Superseded 8.30 In Demand

Continue reading...