Grand Nationwide winner Noble Yeats is aiming for the Stayers’ Hurdle

Irish coach Emmet Mullins’ resolution to enter the 2022 Grand Nationwide hero Noble Yeats for the Paddy Energy Stayers’ Hurdle on the Cheltenham Competition (12-15 March) might show a really shrewd transfer.

“Noble Yeats is bouncing,” says the County Carlow coach. “He positively improved quite a bit between his run at Limerick over Christmas, which he wanted [finishing second to uncle Willie Mullins’ Sa Majeste], and the Cleeve Hurdle [at Cheltenham in January, which he won, beating Paisley Park]. Noble Yeats ought to come on once more and it was good to see him win the Cleeve.”

Noble Yeats: “Now we have modified path”

On the time of writing, Noble Yeats is an 8/1 fourth favorite for Thursday’s Grade One Paddy Energy Stayers’ Hurdle. The market is headed by two Gordon Elliott runners, Teahupoo and Irish Level – who additionally holds an entry for the Champion Hurdle.

Noble Yeats shall be taking within the Stayers’ Hurdle en path to a 3rd tilt on the Randox Grand Nationwide. Robert Waley-Cohen’s gelding received the Aintree spectacle in 2022 with son Sam Waley-Cohen on board and in 2023 he and jockey Sean Bowen completed fourth behind victor Corach Rambler after additionally ending fourth to Galopin Des Champs within the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

“Not as demanding because the Gold Cup”

“The Stayers’ Hurdle was all the time the plan this yr,” says Emmet. “Noble Yeats got here in late after his busy marketing campaign final spring and I mentioned to Robert Waley-Cohen again in October that we have been put in our place within the Gold Cup final season and I couldn’t see a well past these horses this time, so we now have modified path. Though I’m not saying he’d win it, he can hopefully run a giant race.

“The Stayers’ Hurdle is a goal in its personal proper and received’t be as demanding because the Gold Cup.”

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H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her position as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the globe reporting from exhibits and interviewing riders, connections and people concerned behind the scenes. Since becoming a member of H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on each topic throughout the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to steady administration — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She additionally has first-hand expertise of working within the equestrian trade as a driving teacher and yard supervisor.