Will a staying star be unearthed at Ascot? Assessing the main contenders for Saturday's Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle

The betting for the Stayers' Hurdle at next year's Cheltenham Festival is dominated by defending champion Teahupoo, who is a general 2-1 favourite with nothing else currently priced in single figures. 

However, while Gordon Elliott's star is the leading light in the staying hurdle division, a host of pretenders will be looking to steal his crown, some of whom are set to line up in this weekend's Howden Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot (2.25).

Who can join the likes of Baracouda, Big Buck's, Thistlecrack and Paisley Park on an illustrious roll of honour? Here, we assess the main contenders for Saturday's big Grade 1 contest . . .

Strong Leader

Form: 2431-1

Strengths: A coming force in the division, Strong Leader finished an honourable third behind Noble Yeats and Paisley Park in last season's Cleeve Hurdle before rounding off his season in style as he took the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree. He began this campaign with an assertive victory in last month's Long Distance Hurdle after a layoff and looks progressive. A bold bid on Saturday could throw him firmly into the Stayers' mix.

What they say

Olly Murphy, trainer (after the Long Distance Hurdle)
He improved throughout the whole of last season and I’d like to think he’ll do the same this term. He’s as good a staying three-mile hurdler as we've got on this side of the water by the looks of things, and hopefully he can keep progressing.

Odds: 9-4

Strong Leader14:25 Ascot

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Jky: Sean Bowen Tnr: Olly Murphy

The Wallpark

Form: 091111

Strengths: The latest addition to JP McManus's formidable squad, The Wallpark is set to make his debut in the famous green and gold silks on Saturday. Trained by Gordon Elliott, the six-year-old has completed a four-timer which has seen his mark shoot up, having last won a Pertemps qualifier at Cheltenham in October. This is by far the stiffest assignment of his career, but if he looks at home in Grade 1 surroundings connections could be tempted by a Stayers' tilt, rather than aiming him towards the Pertemps Final in March.

What they say 

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! Life will obviously start getting harder for him when he goes up in grade, but it will be interesting to see how he copes.

Odds: 3-1

The Wallpark14:25 Ascot

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Jky: Tnr: Gordon Elliott

Crambo

Form: 13198-

Strengths: The defending champion, Crambo broke his Grade 1 duck in this race last season, narrowly denying fans' favourite Paisley Park to get up on the line in a thriller. He has been off the track since finishing down the field in the  Liverpool Hurdle in April but he has won coming back from a break before and will be fresh after skipping last month's Long Distance Hurdle following a dirty scope. A reproduction of his win over Paisley Park would surely see him go close.

What they say

Fergal O'Brien, trainer: He looks great and has gone well first time out in the last couple of years. I think Strong Leader is going to take an awful lot of beating but we've got to turn up and try. He likes to be fresh, has done plenty of work and I'm not worried about it from a fitness side at all.

Odds: 13-2

Crambo14:25 Ascot

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Jky: Jonathan Burke Tnr: Fergal O'Brien

Shoot First

Form: 281/51

Strengths: There are fewer trainers as shrewd as Charles Byrnes and could he have a Grade 1 contender up his sleeve in Shoot First? The eight-year-old was a surprise 22-1 winner of the Betfair Stayers' Handicap Hurdle at Haydock last month, carrying a big weight to victory in gruelling conditions, with only five of the 15-strong field making it home. Before his brave performance at Haydock he had run only once at Galway in October since spending more than two years off the track, which suggests there could still be plenty to come.

What they say

Alex Harvey, jockey (after his win at Haydock): It was a great training performance by Charles as Shoot First came on from the last day following a two-year break. He's still a big, raw baby and he pricked his ears when we hit the front, so stepping up in grade he's going to be even better. That was his first time on soft ground and he relished it. He's an exciting horse.

Odds: 8-1

Shoot First14:25 Ascot

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Jky: Tnr: C Byrnes

Blueking D'Oroux

Form: 1154-2

Strengths: Caught the eye as a four-year-old in last year's Ascot Hurdle, when he beat Strong Leader, Theatre Glory, Goshen and Sceau Royal to land Grade 2 honours and emphasise his potential as a future staying star. This race last year proved a step too far against more experienced rivals as he finished fifth behind Crambo. However, he made a fine return as he finished second in the Ascot Hurdle last month, beaten a length by Lucky Place but finishing ahead of Colonel Mustard and Cheltenham Festival winner Golden Ace. Now a five-year-old, he should improve for that effort and can give a stronger showing this time around.

Whay they say

Paul Nicholls (in his Racing Post stable tour): I’ve trained countless good four-year-olds who have struggled in their second season over hurdles, but this is one who managed to buck the trend last season. On the back of a victory in the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle at Ascot we threw him in at the deep end by going for the Long Walk. It was a big ask for such a young horse, but he ran really well when fifth to Crambo. Unfortunately, his season was interrupted by a small setback and it wasn’t until the final day that we got him back.

Odds: 10-1

Blueking d'Oroux14:25 Ascot

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Jky: Harry Cobden Tnr: Paul Nicholls

Who else could line up?

The Henry de Bromhead-trained Hiddenvalley Lake could bolster the Irish challenge but he also has entries at Leopardstown over Christmas, including the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase as well as the Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle. Langer Dan was well beaten by Strong Leader at Newbury and is one of two entries for trainer Dan Skelton, along with Kateira while Beauport, who won last month's Berkshire National at Ascot, could represent Nigel Twiston-Davies back at the same track.

Where can I watch it?

Saturday's Grade 1 will be televised on ITV4 and Sky Sports Racing, or you can watch via the Racing Post app by logging in through your bookmaker of choice.

The verdict

By Stuart Redding

1 STRONG LEADER
2 Crambo
3 The Wallpark

Strong Leader has enjoyed stepping up to marathon trips in 2024, with a close third in the Cleeve Hurdle followed by victories at Aintree and Newbury. He was entitled to need the run at Newbury after 230 days on the sidelines, but the way he surged clear on the run-in suggests he is better than ever. Defending champion Crambo would have a big chance if rediscovering the form he showed when beating Paisley Park 12 months ago.

Strong Leader14:25 Ascot

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Jky: Sean Bowen Tnr: Olly Murphy

Howden Long Walk Hurdle (2.25 Ascot, Saturday)
Paddy Power: 9-4 Strong Leader, 11-4 The Wallpark, 5 Hiddenvalley Lake, 6 Crambo, 7 Kateira, 8 Blueking D'Oroux, Shoot First, 14 Beauport, 20 bar.

Read this next:

'There's definitely some unfinished business' - Fergal O'Brien has Crambo primed for Long Walk repeat bid on Saturday 

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