14:25 Ascot

Saturday 22 December 2018

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

JLT Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Long Walk Hurdle)

Off time: 14:27 | Winning time: 6m 4.03s

Agrapart⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Lizzie Kelly| T: Nick Williams| OR: 159| D

7/1

Dual Grade Two winner at up to 3m finished a close fourth first time out here over an inadequate 2m4f finishing just ½L behind Unowhatimeanharry who received 4lb. Softer ground and longer trip here both big plusses so has genuine each-way claims.

Form: 77212-4

Call Me Lord²³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 160

7/2

Won twice over 2m last term but took form to new level first time over 2m5½f when slamming smart field by 16L in a Sandown Grade Two. Goes up in trip once more now but looks likely to stay as long as he settles and every chance he's a star over 3m.

Form: 1/31321-

Garo De Juilley^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 138

100/1

Won an 18-runner Chepstow handicap (2m3½f) in taking fashion and since ran well in a 2m3f handicap at Haydock. Goes up in trip now and takes a huge class leap so task much tougher and best form all on good ground.

Form: F-22414

Paisley Park²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 152| D

8/1

Lightly raced but highly progressive second season hurdler is two from two this year having won handicaps at Aintree (2m4f) and Haydock (3m½f). Big step up in class but no telling how far he can go at this stage and can't be ignored.

Form: 1220-11

Sam Spinner^p1²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Joe Colliver| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 162| CD

9/2

Front-runner made all to win this race 12 months ago although came up just short afterwards in Cheltenham and Aintree Grade Ones. Beaten when unseating two out on return at Newbury but no doubt that was a prep for this so expect a bold bid now.

Form: 21153-U

Soul Emotion²³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 152

9/1

Former French trained gelding is two from two since joining the champion trainer after very comfortable handicap successes at Sandown over 2m4f. Steps up markedly in class and distance now but decision to do so early is interesting.

Form: 35/PF11-

The Mighty Don²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: N J Gifford| OR: 149| D

16/1

Got up in the dying strides to land a 3m Cheltenham handicap before finishing third to Unowhatimeanharry at Newbury latest beaten 4½L. Stiffer track here will help him but reversal with that rival unlikely.

Form: 295-U13

Top Notch²³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 157| C

10/1

13-time winner including Grade One over fences where he's mostly been campaigned of late but ended last season with a Grade Two hurdle win over 2m6½f. Furthest he's ever raced over here but if he lasts he won't be far away.

Form: 3/31141-

Unowhatimeanharry^p,t²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: B J Geraghty| T: H Fry| OR: 157| CD

4/1

Triple Grade-One winner including this race in 2016 was below par last term including third in this but back to near his best this season and won a Newbury Grade Two latest where his main rivals didn't perform. Obvious chance and sure to go close.

Form: 1230-31

West Approach²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 148

40/1

Struggling in handicap chases this term so reverts to hurdling but pulled up in two Grade Ones when last over smaller obstacles and twice behind Unowhatimeanharry before that. Needs a career best to make the frame.

Form: 56P-3P5

Younevercall^p,t1⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 157

20/1

Very lightly raced but returned from a 517 day absence with a second at Perth before coasting to success in a 2m5f handicap at Kempton last month. Stayed 3m at Perth so that no worry and for all this is a big step up in class he merits respect.

Form: 6117/21

Forecasts

Call Me Lord (7/2), Unowhatimeanharry (4/1), Sam Spinner (9/2), Agrapart (7/1), Paisley Park (8/1), Soul Emotion (9/1), Top Notch (10/1), The Mighty Don (16/1), Younevercall (20/1), West Approach (40/1), Garo De Juilley (100/1)

Although tackling 3m for the first time CALL ME LORD is confidently selected to stake his claims as a legitimate Stayers Hurdle contender by landing the spoils in this traditional pre-Christmas highlight. He could hardly have been more impressive when stepped up to 2m5½f at the end of last season and he looked every inch a stayer there so is expected to land this contest. Agrapart is preferred to Unowhatimeanharry having only been ½L behind that rival first time out despite conceding 4lb. Unexposed trio Paisley Park, Younevercall and Soul Emotion and defending champion Sam Spinner add to a truly mouth-watering race.