Big-race preview & tip: Howden Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot

2.25 Ascot - Howden Long Walk Hurdle

Timeform view

STRONG LEADER hasn't looked back since sent over staying trips and with his yard well among the winners too he rates a confident choice to bag a second Grade 1 here. Irish-raiders Hiddenvalley Lake and The Wallpark both arrive on the up and can ensure Olly Murphy's high-class 7-y-o doesn't have things all his own way though, with last year's victor Crambo also in the picture.

Timeform Top Rated: Strong Leader (4lbs clear)

Timeform Pace Guide

Pace Forecast: Even

Specific Pace Hint: So long as the leaders don’t go crazy HIDDENVALLEY LAKE promises to be better placed than STRONG LEADER given what we know about how races at this trip here round here usually pan out.

Individual Price Hint: HIDDENVALLEY LAKE usually races prominently but despite the anticipated pace forecast has a record of getting beaten after trading much lower than Betfair SP.

What the connections say

Olly Murphy - Strong Leader: "I’m looking forward to it, he’s trained really well. He hasn’t won going right-handed, but I don’t think that should be an issue. He’s got Grade One form, he’s got no penalty and I wouldn’t swap him, albeit it’s a very competitive race.

“I know he’s been a bit hit and miss during his career, but at the trip he hasn’t. I think he’s a worthy favourite, I’m under no illusions that it’s a very competitive race, but he’s in really good form and I’ve got no excuses – win, lose or draw.

“I’m not saying my lad’s a certainty, but if you said I could swap for another horse in the race, I don’t think I would. It’s very easy to make an excuse before you get going but he’s trained well, the horses are in good nick, he’s unexposed at the trip and we’re really looking forward to Saturday.”

Fran Berry - The Wallpark: “He’s progressive and has had a good year. It’s going to be a step up in class, but Gordon’s happy with him and is hoping for a nice run.

“It’s a grand race and it’s nice to have one in there with some sort of chance.”

Fergal O’Brien - Crambo: "Fingers crossed, he’s in great shape, we’re very happy with him. He schooled very well on Thursday morning and worked well on Tuesday and he’s in a great place.

“It’s a very tough race. I was hoping it was just going to be Olly’s horse (to beat), but there’s plenty of others in there, isn’t there? Crambo is ready and, touch wood, he usually runs well first time out. He’s fresh and well, he’s done a lot of work and we’re very happy with him, so hopefully he can go and do himself justice.

"This race last year was his third run of the season. He had a nice run in Aintree, but then he had a hard race at Haydock and we rolled into Ascot, where he won again but had a very hard race – he went to places where he’d never been before.

"That probably left its mark a little bit and I probably should have pulled the plug after Cheltenham instead of going to Aintree, but hindsight’s a wonderful thing."

Key Video Form

Strong Leader - Won Coral Long Distance Hurdle, Newbury

The Wallpark - Won Pertemps Qualifier, Cheltenham

Shoot First - Won Betfair Stayers' Handicap Hurdle, Ascot

Crambo - Won Howden Long Walk Hurdle, Ascot 2023

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