14:25 Ascot

Saturday 20 December 2025

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

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

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 58.59s

Altobelli^p,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 147| C

22/1

Took his form to a new level last term, landing a brace of 19f course handicaps during the winter. Disappointed in 3m Aintree Grade 1 on final start, though, and his reappearance fifth in the Ascot Hurdle shows he needs improvement to figure at Graded level.

Form: 0/2118-5

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Beauport³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 154| C

18/1

Course chase winner who ran a cracker from the front when third in this race last season. Made a solid return to action when fourth in a Cheltenham handicap chase last month but he'll probably still do well to match last year's placing.

Form: P/1320-4

Colonel Mustard³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: John Shinnick| T: L Fowler| OR: 151

20/1

Consistent veteran who arrives on the back of wins at Sligo and Navan this autumn. Saw off The Yellow Clay in a Grade 2 at the latter venue but the chances are he'll get found out in this more competitive scenario. Also a bit below par on previous attempt around 3m.

Form: 2545-11

Crambo^p,t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 154| CD

16/1

Has won the last 2 runnings of this race but his comeback run over 19f here last month doesn't suggest he's likely to make it 3 in a row, for all the return to a longer trip is sure to suit. Cheekpieces are also refitted.

Form: 8/15F7-8

Doddiethegreat^p,t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 147| C| D

22/1

Scaled new heights when winning Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival (3m, good to soft) in March. Creditable in-frame efforts in 3m Grade 2s at Wetherby and Newbury last month but Strong Leader (twice) and stablemate Impose Toi were ahead of him in those races.

Form: P212-34

Gwennie May Boy²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: O Murphy| OR: 146| D

40/1

Posted career best when landing Grade 2 Rendlesham at Haydock for Dan Skelton in February but hasn't reproduced that in 3 starts since, the latest his first outing for new trainer Olly Murphy. Outsider.

Form: 35196-7

Honesty Policy²³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 145

11/4

Won 2½m Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree in April. Even better form when ½-length second of 8 to Jasmin de Vaux in another Grade 1 novice at Punchestown later that month, looking well suited by the step up to 3m. Appeals as one who can make his mark in open Grade 1 company this season.

Form: 221112-

Impose Toi²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153| D

3/1

Ran some crackers in defeat in handicaps at the 3 big Festivals in the spring and has taken it up another notch on his return, winning Aintree handicap and Newbury Grade 2 around 3m, the latter by ½ length from Strong Leader. Did receive 6 lb off Olly Murphy's charge so not sure to confirm the form.

Form: 1242-11

Jet Blue^p1³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Cobden| T: D Cottin| OR: 152| D

17/2

Smart French-trained hurdler who bagged a 3m Grade 2 novice hurdle at Cheltenham last December. Not in the same form when well-held in the Albert Bartlett back at Cheltenham in March but he resumed his progression when 6 lengths second in 2m Auteuil Group 1 5 weeks ago.

Form: 1219-42

Potters Charm²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 145

9/2

Bumper winner who made a fine transition to hurdling last term, winning first 4 starts including a Grade 1 novice at Aintree (17f) in December. Exited early in Wetherby Grade 2 won by Strong Leader on reappearance but quickly showed he's none the worse when good third in 19f course Grade 2 since.

Form: 1115-F3

Strong Leader^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 156| D

15/2

Smart stayer who is a former Grade 1 winner. Has looked as good as ever when winning Wetherby Grade 2 and ½-length second of 7 to Impose Toi in Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury this season. 6 lb better off with Nicky Henderson's charge here.

Form: 1042-12

Forecasts

Honesty Policy (11/4), Impose Toi (3/1), Potters Charm (9/2), Strong Leader (15/2), Jet Blue (17/2), Crambo (16/1), Beauport (18/1), Colonel Mustard (20/1), Doddiethegreat (22/1), Altobelli (22/1), Gwennie May Boy (40/1)

HONESTY POLICY rapidly developed into a very smart novice hurdler last season and is selected to take the next step up the ladder on his return to action. On 6 lb better terms, Strong Leader can turn around recent Newbury placings with Impose Toi and give Gordon Elliott's charge most to do.