14:25 Ascot

Saturday 21 December 2024

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

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

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 6.84s

Beauport²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 148| C

16/1

A smart chaser on his day and he resumed with an easy success in 10-runner handicap chase here (29.4f) 28 days ago. This is his first run over hurdles since 2022 but he can't be discounted.

Form: 52P1P-1

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Blueking D'oroux²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150| C

12/1

Smart hurdler who returned with a good second of 5 in Howden Ascot Hurdle here (19.3f) 28 days ago. Effective over this longer trip. Possibilities.

Form: 2/1154-2

Botox Has^p⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 151| D

33/1

Smart hurdler bagged the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock in February. Not disgraced on his return when a fading tenth in 3m handicap at Cheltenham in October. Not dismissed.

Form: 661P5-0

Crambo^t²⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 156| CD

9/1

Took this contest 12 months ago but he failed to fire in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham and Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree subsequently. Has twice won off a break before though so needs considering on his seasonal return.

Form: 7/13198-

Hiddenvalley Lake²⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 152| D

7/1

Lightly-raced Irish hurdler who was much improved last term, landing Grade 2 at Navan before an excellent third of 10 to Strong Leader in Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree in April. Sort to go on again this season. Likely player.

Form: 129/F13-

Shoot First²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Philip Byrnes| T: C Byrnes| OR: 143| D

12/1

A very useful hurdler who reappeared with a career-best win in 15-runner handicap at Haydock (24.3f, heavy) 28 days ago. This demands another step forward though.

Form: 1281/51

Strong Leader²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 158| D

11/8

Much improved since sent over staying trips, bagging Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree in the spring and returning with a smooth success in 4-runner Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury 22 days ago. Big shout.

Form: 02431-1

The Wallpark⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 152| D

9/2

Progressive Irish hurdler completed his four-timer in 12-runner handicap at Cheltenham (24f) in October, This is much tougher but he has more to offer so needs considering.

Form: 0-91111

Eagle Fang³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Oakley Brown| T: W Durkan| OR: 141

40/1

Smart winning hurdler comes here on the back of an improved third of 8 in Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle at Navan (20.2f) 35 days ago. No forlorn hope now his stamina is drawn out further.

Form: 0101-23

Kateira²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 144

12/1

Signed off for last season with success in valuable 20f handicap hurdle at Aintree and comes here on the back of a ready victory in Listed event at Kempton (2m5f) 26 days ago. Shortlisted.

Form: 3241-31

Forecasts

Strong Leader (11/8), The Wallpark (9/2), Hiddenvalley Lake (7/1), Crambo (9/1), Kateira (12/1), Blueking D'oroux (12/1), Shoot First (12/1), Beauport (16/1), Botox Has (33/1), Eagle Fang (40/1)

STRONG LEADER hasn't looked back since sent over staying trips and with his yard well among the winners too he rates a confident choice to bag a second Grade 1 here. Irish-raiders Hiddenvalley Lake and The Wallpark both arrive on the up and can ensure Olly Murphy's high-class 7-y-o doesn't have things all his own way though, with last year's victor Crambo also in the picture.