Long Walk Hurdle (Provisional Runners)

It’s another big week on the National Hunt front, and this time, the Howden Long Walk Hurdle takes centre stage. Here is my guide to all of the potential runners for Ascot’s feature race.

1 - Altobelli (Harry Fry) 20/1
One of the outsiders in the field but warrants respect given his record at Ascot. Having run here five times in his career, he’s only finished outside the first three once and has won on two of those occasions. Coincidentally, the one time he finished outside of the placings was last time out when he finished fifth behind Wodhooh and co in the Ascot Hurdle, form that is strong, and that was his first run of the season also. Better ground will aid his chances, and he’s not without an each-way chance.

2 - Beauport (Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies) 20/1
A thorough stayer who finished a very good third in this race 12 months ago en route to his Grand National bid. That didn’t materialise, but he ran well on his return to action at Cheltenham in a valuable handicap, looking the winner jumping the penultimate fence before tiring into fourth. Undoubtedly, he will need to dramatically improve to get competitive, but he hails from a yard in the winners' enclosure recently, so is not out of it by any means.

3 - Botox Has (Gary & Josh Moore) 33/1
Botox Has, from a red-hot yard, faces a tough task here. Winless since 2024 and a faller last time, he needs to find his best form to have any chance.

4 - Colonel Mustard (Lorna Fowler) 16/1
Colonel Mustard found his form after a string of consistent efforts and has excelled this year. After a Grade 2 win and beating Sixandahalf, he has a fair chance, though it's unclear if he'll win again here.

5 - Crambo (Fergal O’Brien) 9/1
His form disappointed again at the rear end of the season, but he backed up 2023 with another win in this race last year. He looks to be the first horse to win it three times consecutively since Reve De Sivola and Big Bucks, and is once again being overlooked, which is dangerous given his yard is in good nick. You can almost guarantee that this will be his Gold Cup, so I wouldn’t be concerned that race fitness will be an issue. Big chance.

6 - Doddiethgreat (Nicky Henderson) 20/1
Produced his best form at the end of last season when landing the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham before finishing second in a valuable handicap at Punchestown in May. Those efforts confirmed him as a strong stayer in handicap company, but he has yet to fully replicate that level in Graded races this season. He often improves with racing and did take time to find his feet last term, so further progress is not out of the question, but he does need to find a bit more at this level to be competitive.

7 - Gwennie May Boy (Olly Murphy) 50/1
Made rapid progress earlier in his career when trained by Dan Skelton, climbing from a mark of 113 to 149, but his first run for new connections came in the Ascot Hurdle, where he was sent off at a high price and finished towards the rear. That was his first run for some time, and he is expected to be better suited by this longer trip, particularly if the ground turns testing. However, he has something to prove on recent evidence, and his stablemate looks the stronger option if he turns up.

8 - Honesty Policy (Gordon Elliott) 3/1
An interesting Irish challenger who ended his novice hurdle campaign with strong form in top company, finishing second to Jasmin De Vaux in a three-mile Grade One at the Punchestown Festival. Earlier in the spring, he also won well at Aintree, beating Regents Stroll in a Grade One, in which that form has been franked. He is reportedly better on decent ground, which is a slight concern if conditions deteriorate, but he may get away with it.

9 - Impose Toi (Nicky Henderson) 3/1
Returned from a break with an impressive handicap success at Aintree under a big weight before following up in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, where he narrowly beat Strong Leader in Grade Two company. He has shown steady progression with each run and has yet to be tested at the Grade One level, but his recent form suggests he is more than capable of holding his own. He appears effective on a range of ground and sets a solid standard, and looks the one to beat.

10 - Jet Blue (David Cottin) 12/1
A high-class French-trained hurdler who won a Grade Two at Cheltenham last December before being sent off near the head of the market for the Stayers Hurdle in March, where he failed to deliver. He has since returned to form in France, finishing second in a three-mile Grade One at Auteuil on heavy ground. That run suggests he remains in good heart, and he should not be underestimated if translating that form back to Britain, and if the rain comes in time.

11 - Nemean Lion (Kerry Lee) 12/1
Pulled up in the Stayers Hurdle last season, but that was an uncharacteristic effort in what was otherwise a consistent campaign. He returned this term with a great third in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle, staying on well all the way to the line in a crazy race. While that was not a strong renewal, it showed he retains his ability. However, the main doubt surrounds whether a truly run three miles on a stiff track will play to his strengths.

12 - Potters Charm (Nigel and Willy Twiston Davies) 8/1
Came into the season with plenty of expectation and although his reappearance ended in an early fall at Wetherby, he ran with credit when third in the Ascot Hurdle behind Wodhooh and Celtic Dino. That was a strong piece of form, and he remains lightly raced with scope for further improvement. Stamina on this trip is not guaranteed, though, and he must convince me that he is up to this level before any financial involvement.

13 - Strong Leader (Olly Murphy) 4/1
One of the most reliable staying hurdlers in training, having won the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby before finishing a close second to Impose Toi in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury. He is six pounds better off with that rival here, which gives him a strong chance of reversing the form. However, he hates going right-handed, and that would be a major negative if he gets declared.