The Wallpark: profiling JP McManus’ progressive new recruit as he bids to leap into the Stayers’ Hurdle picture at Ascot on Saturday

The Wallpark comes into Saturday's Howden Long Walk Hurdle (2.25) seeking a five-timer and since his latest win, the six-year-old has been purchased by leading owner JP McManus. Here we preview the progressive hurdler as he faces his toughest test to date . . .

What has he done so far?

The Wallpark failed to win in five starts for Vincent Ward but showed clear signs of ability, placing in a bumper and maiden hurdle at odds of 50-1 and 66-1 respectively.

He won his first three starts for Gordon Elliott before finishing third in Listed company at Limerick and then down the field back from a break in a competitive handicap hurdle at the Punchestown festival in May.

The son of Ask finished ninth at Listowel a month later and was getting reminders from an early stage at Kilbeggan in July, but kept finding for Sam Ewing to run out a length-and-three-quarter winner.

A follow-up victory at Galway looked unlikely when The Wallpark was in sixth jumping the final hurdle, but Ewing conjured a strong finish out of his mount to score by a half length from So Scottish.

The hat-trick was completed when The Wallpark scored at odds-on in a three-runner hurdle back at Galway in September before the gelding brought up the four-timer when stepped up to three miles for the first time at Cheltenham in October.

What they say

Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus: "The Wallpark is an improving young horse who was very good at Cheltenham last time and we hope he can keep improving. Let's hope he's lucky."

Gordon Elliott, trainer: "He's just kept on improving since the summer and the more races he wins, the more confidence he gets. He's got a great attitude and stays well, so hopefully he can keep winning!"

Who does he face?

The Wallpark is a best-priced 7-2 to win the Long Walk, with Strong Leader the only runner shorter than him in the betting at a general 9-4. Olly Murphy's seven-year-old capped off last season with a breakthrough Grade 1 success in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree and made a winning seasonal reappearance in last month's Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.

Crambo progressed out of handicaps to deny Paisley Park in a thrilling Long Walk 12 months ago but has not hit the same levels since, finishing ninth when sent off a 7-1 chance for the Stayers' Hurdle before a distant eighth behind Strong Leader in the Liverpool Hurdle.

Crambo: denied Paisley Park in last year's Long Walk HurdleCredit: Mark Cranham

Paul Nicholls has not won the Long Walk since the mighty Big Buck's claimed the last of his three wins in 2011, but the trainer has a live contender on Saturday in the shape of Blueking D'Oroux. The Johnny de la Hey-owned gelding finished a ten-and-a-half-length fifth behind Crambo in this race last year and has since put up two solid runs in defeat. He retains scope for improvement as a five-year-old.

Like The Wallpark, Shoot First is bidding to become the first Irish-trained winner of the Long Walk. Charles Byrnes' eight-year-old is two from two when racing in Britain, most recently landing a competitive handicap hurdle at Haydock.

Shoot First: ploughed through the mud to score at Haydock last timeCredit: John Grossick

Dan and Harry Skelton combine with Kateira, who was beaten at odds-on in a Wetherby Grade 2 on seasonal reappearance before scoring back against her own sex in Listed company at Kempton last month. She returns to Grade 1 level for the first time since chasing home Irish Point in the 2023 Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree.

Howden Long Walk Hurdle (2.25 Ascot, December 21)
William Hill: 9-4 Strong Leader, 7-2 The Wallpark, 7 Crambo, 8 Shoot First, Hiddenvalley Lake, 17-2 Kateira, 9 Blueking D'Oroux, 28 Beauport, 40 Eagle Fang, Botox Has

Spotlight verdict

He was smart over shorter but Strong Leader has proved a revelation since upped to three miles and he's the best of the British in this division. Ireland's big guns aren't here but The Wallpark and Shoot First are progressing at a rate of knots, with the latter impressing at Haydock in a handicap that has produced winners of this. Second choice is Kateira whose powers are also unexposed, while Crambo will be on the scene if in the same form as 12 months ago. It's also interesting that the connections of Blueking D'Oroux aren't fazed by having another crack at this trip.
Alistair Jones