Ascot Long Walk Hurdle Day Betting Tips
Ascot hosts a Premier meeting on Saturday, with the highlight being the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle for the stayers at 14:25.
The feature contest is supplemented by the return of Grand National favourite Iroko in the opening graduation chase (12:40) and a highly competitive handicap hurdle (15:35) that includes Champion Hurdle dark horse Alexei.
There are six races in all at Ascot on Saturday and we have selected our best bets in each race.
12:40 - Howden Graduation Chase (2m5f)
A small but quality field of three line-up, but Iroko and James Du Berlais both disappointed in this race last year and so it looks best to side with FIREFOX. He looked better than ever when returning from 195 days off to land a 2m3½f Grade 2 chase at Down Royal last month and, given five of his six wins and his four highest Racing Post Ratings have come right-handed, he should be suited to Ascot. He looks the most reliable.
Selection: Firefox @ 4/6
13:15 - Karen Codd Novices' Handicap Hurdle (2m7½f)
Dan Skelton does well with new recruits and he likely had a gauge on MOUNT GAY RUN’s ability on a line through Honky Tonk Highway, who beat the selection in a Listed race last season. He looked outpaced before staying on well late on in a 2m novice hurdle on his stable debut last month, shaping as though he would relish stepping back up in trip, which is backed up by his pedigree. That form has worked out well and he's open to more improvement now handicapping.
Selection: Mount Gay Run @ 7/2
13:50 - Howden Handicap Chase (2m3f)
Although not the biggest, ISSAM has progressed nicely over fences. He took his chase record to two from three with a smooth victory at Wetherby last month, looking value for a lot more than the one-and-a-quarter-length winning margin suggests, given he idled on the run-in. The step back up in trip and return to softer ground suited him well and he can defy a 5lb rise with similar conditions here.
Selection: Issam @ 9/2
14:25 - Howden Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1, 3m½f)
This looks like a strong running, but this race has likely always been the plan for CRAMBO, who has landed this the last two years. He has to bounce back from a poor return in the Ascot Hurdle, but he wouldn't have been suited by that speed test and there is every chance that was likely just a prep. The form of last year’s win worked out well, with runner-up Hiddenvalley Lake subsequently landing the Liverpool Hurdle, and we know he’s well suited to the demands of this test.
Selection: Crambo @ 9/1
15:00 - Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase (3m)
Form at Ascot is a major plus and you don’t have to look further for a track specialist than VICTTORINO, who has won the last two runnings of this race and four of his five starts over course and distance in total. A 1lb drop for his reappearance defeat in the Coral Gold Cup leaves him on his last winning mark and there have been positive signs for the form of his trainer, Venetia Williams, recently.
Selection: Victtorino @ 5/1
15:35 - Ascot Rotary Club Festive Handicap Hurdle (1m7½f)
Jonjo and AJ O’Neill hold a strong hand, with Wilful of interest given his third in the Welsh Champion Hurdle has been well advertised since, but preference is for stablemate WRECKLESS ERIC. He looked unlucky not to win the Imperial Cup in February as he didn't get the clearest run and missed the last before staying on strongly to be beaten just half a length by Go Dante, who has won since. The Imperial Cup run came after a break, so Wreckless Eric is proven fresh and he still has untapped potential.
Selection: Wreckless Eric @ 14/1
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation