The ultimate Grade One earlier than Christmas sees among the high staying hurdlers conflict within the Lengthy Stroll at Ascot on Saturday, with Hereford, Newcastle and Wolverhampton additionally all dwell on Sky Sports activities Racing.
2.25 Ascot – Sturdy Chief & The Wallpark headline Grade 1 discipline
Final 12 months’s Howden Lengthy Stroll Hurdle (2.25) noticed Crambo get the higher of previous favorite Paisley Park in an exciting tussle, however Fergal O’Brien’s seven-year-old now appears to face a good more durable contest 12 months on.
Olly Murphy’s Sturdy Chief could be very a lot seen as the brand new chief on this division after touchdown final season’s Liverpool Hurdle and returning with victory within the Lengthy Distance Hurdle at Newbury final month.
The Wallpark, maybe Eire’s subsequent staying star, has been on a exceptional run since July, profitable 4 in a row together with when defying a mark of 145 at Cheltenham in October. He steps up into graded firm for the first-time however appears able to higher.
Crambo’s finest hopes may lie together with his report when contemporary, however he was a good distance behind Sturdy Chief at Aintree in April.
Third that day was Hiddenvalley Lake for Henry De Bromhead, whereas Kateira (Dan Skelton), Blueking d’Oroux (Paul Nicholls) and Shoot First (Charles Byrnes) actually cannot be dismissed. Beauport, Botox Has and Eagle Fang full the sphere.
3.00 Ascot – Stylish chasers Trelawne & Victtorino conflict
The three-mile Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase (3.00) appears a aggressive contest and options defending champion Victtorino.
Venetia Williams’ runner is simply 1lb larger within the weights than final 12 months and, having completed a wonderful third within the Coral Gold Cup, shall be fancied to observe up beneath Charlie Deutsch.
The Kim Bailey-trained Trelawne made a brilliant seasonal reappearance when seeing off Iroko to land a Commencement Chase at Haydock and charges an enormous hazard on this change to handicap firm.
The Altering Man ran a cracking race in defeat when runner-up within the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle on his final begin and seeks a primary chase success beneath Sam Twiston-Davies.
Victtorino and Charlie Deutsch on their strategy to Silver Cup success at Ascot final 12 months
3.35 Ascot – Be Conscious & Dysart Enos meet once more
A fiercely aggressive renewal of the precious Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle (3.35) options the second and third from the Greatwood at Cheltenham final month.
Dan Skelton’s Be Conscious chased house Burdett Street when runner-up on that occassion and this lightly-raced five-year-old is the choose regardless of a 7lb hike within the weights.
Dysart Enos loved a wonderful novice marketing campaign, profitable all three begins and ran with credit score behind Be Conscious at Cheltenham. Anticipated to enhance for that have, she have to be taken significantly off this 4lb larger mark.
Others to notice embody Scottish Champion Hurdle victor Favour And Fortune and Paul Nicholls’ unbeaten four-year-old Kabral Du Mathan.
Dystart Enos (proper) chases house Burdett Street within the Greatwood
Watch each race from Ascot, Hereford, Newcastle and Wolverhampton all dwell on Sky Sports activities Racing on Saturday, December 21
