When is Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival?

The Stayers’ Hurdle is a thrilling three-mile race for top runners at Cheltenham Festival. Here’s everything you need to know about the Stayers’ Hurdle 2026.

The Stayers’ Hurdle is a much-anticipated race during Cheltenham Festival, and for very good reason. This is the ultimate test of stamina for hurdlers and takes place over three miles, with twelve challenging flights to clear. As a result, the Stayers’ Hurdle is the premier long-distance event in National Hunt racing.

Due to the nature of the Stayers’ Hurdle, which requires unparalleled energy and focus, you can expect edge-of-your-seat action and dramatic finishes, making it a must-see event. In this blog, we’ve explored when the Stayers’ Hurdle is billed to take place, as well as how to watch and bet on the prestigious event. Alternatively, if you’re interested in the wider festival timings, explore the full Cheltenham schedule – or discover our complete guide to Cheltenham.

What is the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham?

The Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham is an adrenaline-fuelled long-distance race that ends with the crowning of the best three-mile hurdlers. The endurance, precision and jumping ability of each horse is what makes this race so significant, as even the smallest lapse can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

The Stayers’ Hurdle truly is an unmissable race, as it offers an exhilarating spectacle where seasoned champions battle against rising stars to take home the trophy. Whatever you do, don’t miss the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham!

What date is the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival?

The 2026 edition of the Stayers’ Hurdle takes place on Thursday, 12th March, which is Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival, also known as St. Patrick’s Thursday.

What time is the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham?

Make sure you catch the 2026 race live on Thursday, 12th March at 3:20 pm. The Stayers’ Hurdle takes place between the Mares’ Hurdle (2:40 pm) and the Ryanair Chase (4:00 pm).

At three miles long (4,828 metres), the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham is a long-distance race that can range from 5 minutes 40 seconds to 6 minutes 10 seconds on average. Ground conditions are a major factor that can affect race time, as softer ground slows the race, so keep your fingers crossed for dry weather!

Where does the Stayers’ Hurdle take place?

The Stayers’ Hurdle is run on the New Course at Cheltenham Racecourse. There are twelve hurdles to be jumped over. Unlike steeplechases, such as the Ryanair Chase, the Stayers’ Hurdle has smaller, more forgiving obstacles, allowing for greater speed.

How can you watch the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham?

Don’t worry if you can’t make it down to the Cheltenham Festival to watch the Stayers’ Hurdle in person, as you can catch all of the live action on ITV1 at 3:20 pm. If you have a Racing TV subscription, you can watch all four days of the Cheltenham Festival live as it unfolds, making for a nail-biting week of horse racing.

The 2026 Stayers’ Hurdle Horses

The number of runners that compete in the Stayers’ Hurdle varies each year. While many horses are available to place ante-post bets on, a typical edition of the Stayers’ Hurdle only includes around 10 to 15 horses, as competitors are likely to withdraw or confirm for other races.

While the final lineup is yet to be confirmed, here are some of the names you can expect to see involved in the 2026 race:

Who are the favourites for the Stayers’ Hurdle?

As the race approaches, we’ll bring you the latest odds for the favourites in the 2026 Stayers’ Hurdle betting. Make sure to return closer to the date of the event for more info on which horses are likely to claim victory.

Stayers’ Hurdle expert tips

We’ll have top betting tips and picks from our experts closer to the race. If you’re looking for advice from seasoned horse racing veterans to help you pick the perfect horse, check back here as the festival draws closer.

How to bet on the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival?

At Betway, we make it easy to bet on the Stayers’ Hurdle 2026. Whether you’re a first timer who fancies a flutter or a seasoned follower of the Cheltenham Festival, we have everything you need to back your favourite.

You can either place a race win bet on your chosen horse, or take advantage of our 1/5 each way odds, which includes a win bet and a place bet (in this case, if your horse finishes in the top 3).

With that in mind, for the latest advice from our experts, explore our complete collection of Cheltenham betting tips , or check out our full range of horse racing antepost odds.