The 2016 renewal of the Long Walk Hurdle will take place at Ascot, on Saturday 17th December. Let’s take a look at which horses are dominating our ante-post betting market.
Unowhatimeanharry
The 8-year-old is now unbeaten in 6 starts, after he pulled-up at Sandown in March of 2015. Harry Fry’s inmate rounded-off the last campaign with victory in the G1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. A 6-length defeat of the highly-rated Ballyoptic, at Newbury, confirmed what a class act he is and he will almost certainly start the race as favourite.
Lil Rockerfeller
Won a G2 contest at Fontwell, back in February, before finding the company a little too hot to handle in the Champion Hurdle. The American 5-year-old was eventually run down by Yanworth, at Ascot last time out. Yanworth’s late withdrawal from this race certainly boosts the Hard Spun gelding’s hopes.
Alex De Larredya
Sired by Crillon, this 6-year-old has only ever run at Auteuil (France), but demands respect following his victory in the G1 Grand Prix D’ Automne Hurdle. Ptit Zig and Reve De Sivola were back in the field and well-beaten. Can he do the business on English soil?
Others in contention include Nichols Canyon, Little Rockerfeller, Zarkandar and Snow Falcon. The likes of Un Temps Pour Tout, Shaneshill, De Plotting Shed and Monksland have received each-way support.
Bet On The Long Walk Hurdle Now!History Of The Long Walk Hurdle
This is not an especially historic race and it was only introduced in 1965. Back then it was a handicap and it was not made a conditions contest until 1971. G1 status was achieved in 1990.
The race is seen as probably the biggest pointer towards the G1 World Hurdle at Cheltenham. Derring Rose, Baracouda, My Way De Solzen, Big Buck’s and Thistlecrack have all won both races.
The most famous horse to win the Long Walk Hurdle is 1989 champion is surely Royal Athlete. Trained by Jenny Pitman, he would (much later in his career) win the Grand National at odds of 40/1.
Race Information
There is a £100,000 purse up for grabs and winning connections take home £56,270 of that. The race distance is 3m 1f and there are 14 hurdles for the runners to contend with. Mares receive a 7lb allowance in this race.
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Bet On The Long Walk Hurdle Now!
