The Weekend Winners team were in festive spirits as they look ahead to the final Grade One before Christmas, the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Racing.
Last year’s winner Crambo is on the comeback trail after disappointing runs in the Spring and having missed an intended return at Newbury last month.
The new star of the staying division in Britain is undoubtedly Olly Murphy’s Strong Leader, confirming his promise with victory in the Long Distance Hurdle. Added to the mix is Gordon Elliott’s upwardly mobile The Wallpark, who arrives on a five-timer.
Host Kate Tracey…
“It’s unoriginal but I’m with the favourite Strong Leader in a really competitive race.
“It’s nice to see because this was starting to feel like a seniors race but now we’ve actually got quite young horses going.
“Strong Leader is the best looking horse in training, he’s an absolute beast.
“He does have his own way of jumping. He’s very much a typical son of Passing Glance so is very straight-backed but he’s figured out a way that works for himself.
“The Newbury win last time probably wasn’t up to the form of his Liverpool Hurdle win but he gave away a penalty there.”
Attheraces.com’s Declan Rix…
“I’m with you on Strong Leader. I think it’s a race with plenty of question marks.
“The Wallpark is obviously taking a big step up in class into Grade One company and Shoot First had a really tough race in the ground at Haydock. Crambo has had an interrupted prep and Blueking d’Oroux didn’t seem to stay in this race last year.
“Hiddenvalley Lake is probably good enough to win but this is his first start of the season and he can be a little bit gassy.
“I just thought Strong Leader was the horse to beat. He’s really come into his own since going up to three miles.”
Crambo and Paisley Park battle it out in the 2023 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot
BetVictor’s Sam Boswell…
“I like Strong Leader and of the pair at the top of the betting I’d sooner be with him over The Wallpark but Christmas is a time for forgiveness and I’m going to forgive Cramp.
“He won this race 12 months ago beating Paisley Park and we were all getting really excited about Fergal O’Brien going for the Stayers’ Hurdle with this horse.
“What transpired with the two runs at Cheltenham and Aintree just didn’t really seem to produce what he could do.
“The attitude he showed winning this last year was really good and he was still learning his craft at that point.
“His record first time out is really good and I’m not going to let that interrupted prep put me off. It’s probably last chance saloon for me and this horse but, at a track he’s proven at, I’m excited to see what he can do.”
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