Irish challenge will take all the beating in high-class Stayers'

Home By The Lee, only sixth in last year’s race but a better horse now, looks pretty bomb-proof each-way

- Johnny Ward

THIS year’s Festival should turn out to be a Cheltenham for the ages — and the quality remains sky-high on day three.

The feature Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (3.30) is as deep a renewal as you are likely to see.

Flooring Porter is bidding to win this event for the third year running, yet there are three horses shorter than him in the betting, all Irish trained: Blazing Khal, Teahupoo and Home By The Lee.

The key to Teahupoo’s chance may be the ground, the softer the better. It will be immaterial to the other Irish hopes and Home By The Lee, only sixth in the race last year but a better horse now, looks pretty bomb-proof each-way.

Only four turned up for the Turners Novices’ Chase (1.30) last year, but it has more depth 12 months on, and Mighty Potter is really hard to oppose. It is hard to believe he was 20-1 in a five-horse race at Punchestown last year, which he won; he has been nearly flawless and unbeaten over fences since.