December 23 / 14.25 Ascot

14.25

Good To Soft

Howden Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £62645
  • 3m 0f 97y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
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Howden Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 2174-1 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Under a penalty, he gave weight and a beating to Red Risk and Dashel Drasher in a Grade 2 at Wetherby on his return (3m, soft) and now competes off level-weights on his debut at the top table; one of a few in here capable of producing something even better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

15:32 Newbury

Botox Has

11st 13lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

10yo who's not the force of old; down the weights and this race is a drop in class, but he needs to improve on this season's form nevertheless.

12/1

3rd

2

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 1

14:50 Fontwell

Botox Has

11st 4lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

2-2 here, including when gamely holding Brewin'upastorm in the 2022 edition of this race; also won Grade 2 Rendlesham at Haydock (about 3m, heavy) in February 2024 but hasn't matched that form subsequently and was tailed off in a Windsor handicap (3m, soft) last month.

10/1

12th

1

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Botox Has

12st 0lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Gained the last of his Grade 2 wins almost two years ago; generally below that form since, most recently returned to handicap level; doesn't look set to end the losing spell.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3/135- CD

Last run: 252 days

W: 11st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 157

Form & Verdict
Has his off-days but he's a top-class staying hurdler when on song and was also making his seasonal debut when winning this two years ago; has finished within close proximity of Paisley Park in most of their encounters and has another big run in him following a second wind operation.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Champ

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Nicky Henderson

Veteran; smart in his prime but his two efforts this term fall well short of his peak form; beaten twice in this race (third in 2022, fifth in 2023) and is unlikely to make it third time lucky unless first-time headgear has a significant effect.

25/1

3

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Champ

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Nicky Henderson

in touch with leaders, struggling after 10th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out

25/1

Form: 117-13 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Only defeats in his novice campaign were at Grade 1 level; impressed in a 2m4f Aintree handicap on his comeback and, although only third on his step up to 3m at Haydock (Class 1 handicap, good to soft), his strong finish from off a steady pace was seriously eyecatching; has to bridge a sizeable class-gap here but could be progressive enough to do so.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:00 Punchestown

Crambo

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

prominent, soon went second, outpaced after 2 out

9/1

7th

3

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:00 Punchestown

Crambo

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

prominent, soon went second, outpaced after 2 out

9/1

Form: 226-31 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
An admirably tough hurdler/chaser who was second in last season's Stayers' Hurdle; had probably tightened up for his third to Botox Has at Wetherby when repelling fellow veteran Paisley Park (giving 6lb) as the pair dominated last month's Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (good to soft), a race that has produced the winner of this on many occasions; sure to give it his all once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Dashel Drasher

12st 1lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Hasn't been running badly over fences this season but he's clearly not the force of old and he would prefer softer ground for this return to hurdling.

10/1

6th

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Dashel Drasher

12st 1lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Hasn't been running badly over fences this season but he's clearly not the force of old and he would prefer softer ground for this return to hurdling.

10/1

Form: 352-44 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
A prolific winner but rarely the easiest to predict; going right-handed suits him well (dual Ascot winner) but hasn't been at his best under either code of late and failed to uphold his good Sandown record when last of four in the recent Fighting Fifth (cheekpieces tried there soon removed); was in better form when dividing Paisley Park and Champ in the rearranged version of this 12 months ago (Kempton) on his only previous attempt at 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

12

26th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Goshen

10st 2lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

5lb out of the handicap; 9yo whose career has contained plenty of surprises and performing so manfully in 3m handicap chases on good ground at Ascot and this track on his last two starts is arguably one of them; that's nowhere near his old hurdles form but he's been sticking on as if his next reinvention could be as a stayer.

40/1

13th

12

26th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Goshen

10st 2lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

5lb out of the handicap; 9yo whose career has contained plenty of surprises and performing so manfully in 3m handicap chases on good ground at Ascot and this track on his last two starts is arguably one of them; that's nowhere near his old hurdles form but he's been sticking on as if his next reinvention could be as a stayer.

40/1

3rd

1

8th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

15:35 Sandown

Goshen

11st 12lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

9yo who is somewhat mercurial but he's run pretty well in defeat the last twice here (2m7f, heavy; hurdles) and Ascot (3m, good; fences); goes well at Sandown and drops back down in grade today; could be involved.

5/1

Form: 7/21-4 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Benefited from a more prominent ride than Crambo when just behind that rival in a strong 3m handicap at Haydock last month but that was his first run for more than a year; questionable whether he's up to this grade but could argue that he's overpriced in relation to Crambo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

21th

2

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Gowel Road

11st 10lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Can front-run; Cheltenham regular, where he won a 3m Grade 2 last January; sixth in this in 2024 and ran creditably here on three of his first five starts this season, before a big run under Toby McCain-Mitchell at Chepstow 19 days ago; back up 2lb to his career-high mark but probably not far away.

28/1

2nd

1

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

Gowel Road

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Cheltenham regular, where he won a 3m Grade 2 last January from Monmiral; ran creditably there on three of his latest four starts but he's only 2lb off his career-high mark; cheekpieces (worn on last three starts) are off; 5lb claimer is recruited.

6/1

4th

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Gowel Road

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Course regular who won this last year (soft); however, today's contest looks like it will take more winning, even before factoring in the 6lb penalty he carries this time around; looks vulnerable on this season's evidence.

12/1

Form: 2137-2 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 157

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 120-62

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Better known as a handicapper and closely matched with West Balboa on their close encounter in last season's Lanzarote Hurdle; again just missed out behind Botox Has (conceding 4lb) on only his second attempt at 3m in a Grade 2 at Wetherby and he saw out the trip fine; isn't weighted to reverse those placings and there are others to worry about.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Red Risk

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Paul Nicholls

Retains lots of ability despite his advancing years and won a Pertemps qualifier at Musselburgh in February (3m, good to soft); Uttoxeter was disappointing in a race he won the previous year, but he's shown bouncebackability in the past.

20/1

8th

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Red Risk

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Successful in this race last year (2-3 at Uttoxeter overall) and Pertemps qualifier at Musselburgh latest start, both on good to soft ground; retains plenty of ability despite his advancing years and can't be dismissed.

11/1

1st

3

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:40 Musselburgh

Red Risk

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Veteran who won in a big field at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good to soft; 1lb higher today) last March; tailed off both starts since (Freddie Keighley on board last time) but with nearly eight months off in between and his trainer (also runs Sonigino) is always one to note here.

20/1

Form: 912-11 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced improver from a top yard and was a rare 4yo winner of the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle (2m3f, good) here four weeks ago when edging out one who went close in a Grade 1 novice last season; unraced beyond that trip so will be into unknown territory a long way from home, but he's promising.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Blueking DOroux

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Useful 2m4f novice chaser but he won a substandard edition of the Rising Stars at Wincanton and his close second at Kempton (with cheekpieces fitted) last time was achieved in a handicap; faces a stiffer task at this level in the retained headgear.

25/1

2nd

2

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:18 Kempton

Blueking DOroux

11st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Won two Grade 2 hurdles; still learning his trade over fences, safe enough apart from one blunder when winning at Wincanton (2m4f, good), albeit he made a meal of beating a lower-rated rival; out of depth in Grade 1 here since but he's 10lb lower than his hurdle mark now handicapping and still has potential; cheekpieces on; yard has won two of the last three runnings.

9/2

2nd

5

18th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

16:55 Newton Abbot

Blueking DOroux

10st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Smart staying hurdling who looked as good as ever when ending last season with Grade 2 win from the front at Sandown (2m5f, good); will be very hard to beat on these terms if he jumps adequately on his chasing debut.

1/5

Form: /211-1 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Improved last season to win high-profile 2m5f/3m handicaps and made light work of the talented Brewin'upastorm over 2m4f at Aintree last month (soft), albeit in receipt of 9lb; has something to find on BHA ratings but she's unexposed after just six races and especially as a stayer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

15th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:45 Kempton

West Balboa

12st 0lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

in touch with leaders, mistake 2nd, prominent 3rd, slow jump and lost ground 6th

12/1

4th

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Warwick

West Balboa

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

C&D winner for whom a good case can be made on last season's peak efforts; hasn't hit the same heights on her four runs this term but Kempton last time was a step back in the right direction and she could take another today in first-time cheekpieces; chance.

9/4

4th

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Warwick

West Balboa

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

C&D winner for whom a good case can be made on last season's peak efforts; hasn't hit the same heights on her four runs this term but Kempton last time was a step back in the right direction and she could take another today in first-time cheekpieces; chance.

9/4

Selections

POSTDATA:

Champ

WEST COUNTRY:

Crambo

D Express:

West Balboa

SPOTLIGHT:

Paisley Park

RP RATINGS:

Dashel Drasher

Daily Mail:

Crambo

Daily Record:

West Balboa

TOPSPEED:

Paisley Park

LAMBOURN:

Champ

The Times:

Champ

Telegraph:

Champ

The Guardian:

Champ

Daily Mirror:

Champ

The Sun:

Champ

The Star:

Champ