The Long Walk Hurdle was first run in 1965 and it was initially a handicap race. It became a conditions race in 1971, and it was given Grade One status in 1990.
Prior to the redevelopment of Ascot Racecourse (2004-2006) the race was run over 3 miles and 1½ furlongs.
Four winners of the Long Walk Hurdle have gone on to win the Stayers’ Hurdle in the same season.
Derring Rose (1980–81), Baracouda (2001–02), My Way de Solzen (2005–06) and Big Buck’s (2009–10, 2010-11 and 2011-12).
Race Trends
- Previous Course Form – 6/12 winners had at least one previous run at Ascot, 3/12 winners had at least one previous win at Ascot.
- Previous Distance Form – 10/12 winners had at least three previous runs over 24-26 furlongs, 9/12 had at least one previous win over 24-26 furlongs.
- Previous Hurdle Form – 9/12 winners had at least 10 runs over hurdles, 12/12 winners had at least three wins over hurdles, 9/12 winners had at least four wins over hurdles.
- Age – 9 of the last 12 winners were aged between 6 and 8-y-o.
- Price – 7 of the last 12 favourites have won, 9/12 winners were in the top three in the betting.
- Last Run – 6 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before the Long Walk Hurdle, 11/12 winners ran within the last 38 days.
- Rating – 9/12 winners were rated 151 or higher.
- Grade 1 Wins – 8/12 winners had at least one previous win in a Grade 1 race.
- Season Form – 12/12 winners had at least one run that season, 8/12 winners had at least one win that season.
The Contenders
Agrapart (N. Williams)
His best form has come on soft to heavy going and he should have ground conditions to suit here. All of his hurdling wins have come when going left-handed which is a slight worry.
A former Cleeve Hurdle winner back in the day and will be on the premises if this becomes any kind of a stamina test.
Call Me Lord (N. Henderson)
Yet to run this season but is well regarded by the stable and they are expecting big things on Saturday.
Second in last season’s Imperial Cup and finished the year on a mark of 152 after beating the likes of Lil Rockerfeller by 16 lengths along the way.
Garo De Juilley (Mrs S. Leech)
Winner of Chepstow’s Silver Trophy at the start of the season and has been running pretty solidly in decent company since.
Would probably be half the price he if he was trained by a so called “big name”.
Paisley Park (E. Lavelle)
Has shown great form thus far this season, winning a handicap at Aintree in October and then following that run up with a win in the Betfair Stayers' Handicap Hurdle at Haydock last time.
It will be completely new conditions for the six-year-old but he looks well equipped to progress even further.
Sam Spinner (J. O'Keeffe)
The reigning Long Walk champion but he does not come into this race in as good form as he was last year, after unseating his rider on his seasonal bow in the Long Distance Hurdle.
Probably needs to be ridden aggressively to have any kind of realistic chance here, a proven tactic for him which was strangely lacking last time out.
Soul Emotion (N. Henderson)
A French import who won a couple of two and a half mile handicaps at Sandown for Henderson last term and could have more to offer.
This is a completely new ball game but the five-year-old is certainly progressive.
The Mighty Don (N. Gifford)
The Mighty Don is a thorough stayer which should prove key in a race of this nature.
The gelding got the better of Sykes at Cheltenham in October and always runs a solid race. His third place in the Long Distance Hurdle was excellent form but he may just need some others to underperform to score here.
Top Notch (N. Henderson)
Top Notch made his reappearance last term over hurdles but the signs are that he won’t take up his entry here.
The likelihood is that he will run in the King George VI Chase instead.
Unowhatimeanharry (H. Fry)
He may be considered a veteran at this stage in his career but what a servant he has been to his connections.
Winner of this race in 2016, he comes into this race having recently shown the young guns how it’s done in the Long Distance Hurdle.
One for the shortlist and has to be respected here.
West Approach (C. Tizzard)
Returns to hurdling after a spell jumping over the bigger obstacles which doesn’t entirely inspire major confidence.
The eight-year-old has never won in a field size bigger than six and he would be a surprise winner in this contest.
Younevercall (K. Bailey)
After sluicing up in a Pertemps qualifier at Kempton last month, Kim Bailey’s charge is making the step up to Graded company here.
It will be a tall order on his first attempt in a race of this magnitude but as the old adage says “nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
CONCLUSION
After a few blips last weekend, Barry Geraghty has been bringing the green and gold colours of J.P McManus home on more than one occasion this week and Unowhatimeanharry can continue that trend on Saturday.
Lizzie Kelly gets on well with Agrapart and has a good chance of chasing the selection home.
888sport suggests: Unowhatimeanharry (win)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
