Long Walk Hurdle Saturday 21st December
The Grade 1 of the weekend comes from Ascot where the Howden Long Walk Hurdle takes place over 3 miles with just over 70k to the winner of the contest which we will preview.
Heading the betting for the 12 strong field is Strong Leader 9/4 for Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen is due to take the ride. This 7 year old gelding won a four runner Grade 2 event last time out but does deserve to be favourite with Grade 1 winning form last season in the Liverpool Hurdle at the Grand National meeting and also very in form jockey Sean Bowen who’s riding out of his skin currently.
Second favourite currently is The Wallpark for Gordon Elliott, this progressive 6 year old has won his last four outings over hurdles, more recently his first run over this side of the waters taking a handicap at Cheltenham. Taking a big step up in class to Grade 1 event but many feel this horse hasn’t reached its peak just yet so he could be challenging for favouritism come raceday. He’s currently around 11/4 with the leading American Betting Sites For UK players.
Next in the betting is last year’s winner Crambo for Fergal O’Brien this gelding hasn’t run since being well behind Strong Leader at Aintree last season running extremely flat so the market will give us the best indication on what is expected for his first run of the season. He is currently around 6/1 for Saturday’s event.
Hiddenvalley Lake currently around 7/1 to win on Saturday this 7 year old for Henry De Bromhead was being touted to be a Cheltenham festival horse for last years Stayers Novice Hurdles races but after a stop start campaign could only finish 9th in the Albert Bartlett. He did win a Grade 2 event in Ireland early this year but on form he has just under five lengths to make up with Strong Leader on last season’s Aintree form. With softer conditions expected you wouldn’t be surprised to see them finish a lot closer come this weekend. This could be a great each way bet for punters looking for something to oppose the favourite with.
It’s currently 10/1 bar the front four and we look forward to what promises to be the last Grade 1 before Boxing Day.
