14:25 Ascot

Saturday 18 December 2021

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

Howden Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 8.45s

Champ²⁷⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: N J Henderson| OR: 155| D

4/1

Remarkable winner of the RSA Chase in 2020 but he jumped badly before being pulled up early in Gold Cup there when last seen out in March. Returns over hurdles but highly talented and no forlorn hope.

Form: 11F1/2P-

Lisnagar Oscar²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 150| D

40/1

2020 Stayers' winner at Cheltenham, but he's gone winless since and came in tailed off in Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last month. Has it all to prove now.

Form: 72F8-35

On The Blind Side^p²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 150| D

12/1

Smart hurdler who got right back on track when second to Thomas Darby in Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last month. More is needed here, however, and yard also have Buzz in too.

Form: 21365-2

Paisley Park^t1²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 158| BF| CD

11/2

Dual winner of this event, but he's yet to hit top form this term, cheekpieces on when only third to Thomas Darby in Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last month. Tongue tied with a bit to prove now.

Form: 213P-33

Ronald Pump^b,t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Keith Donoghue| T: M J Smith| OR: 157| D

3/1

Runner-up in 2020 Stayers' Hurdle who got right back on track when second to Honeysuckle in Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse (20f) 20 days ago. Irish raider is not ruled out now stepping back up in trip.

Form: 2/F23-52

Third Wind²⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: H Morrison| OR: 149| D

22/1

Looked a stayer on the up when taking Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock only to be pulled up in Aintree Stayers' Hurdle in April. Back from 8 months off now with a fair bit to find on form.

Form: 4/5251P-

Thomas Darby^t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy| OR: 155| C| D

9/1

Has looked of suspect attitude, but back to his best in first-time tongue tie when winning Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury by 2¼l from On The Blind Side. This demands another step forward, though.

Form: 3303-41

Thyme Hill⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 160| D

5/2

Narrowly denied in this event 12 months ago before landing Aintree Stayers' Hurdle in April. Not at his best in Auteuil Grade 1 on his return but no surprise to see him take a big step forward here.

Form: 14/121-5

Non-Runners

Buzz²⁸

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: N J Henderson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Buzz (2/1), Thyme Hill (5/2), Ronald Pump (3/1), Champ (4/1), Paisley Park (11/2), Thomas Darby (9/1), On The Blind Side (12/1), Third Wind (22/1), Lisnagar Oscar (40/1)

A high-class renewal. In the absence of Buzz, last year's runner-up and Aintree Stayers' Hurdle winner THYME HILL can get back to winning ways and put a lesser reappearance effort in France firmly behind him. Irish-challenger Ronald Pump looks the main threat now back at his optimum trip, with highly talented Champ not discounted either returned to hurdles.