On the final Saturday before Christmas, the big Grade 1 race comes from the beautiful Berkshire surrounds of Ascot racecourse with the 2024 edition of the Long Walk Hurdle.
Named in honour of the picturesque avenue of trees in nearby Windsor Great Park, this event was added to the Ascot menu in 1965. Held over a trip of 3m½f and offering £125,000 in total prize money, the steadily increasing quality of the contest saw the race earn Grade 1 status in 1990.
Preceded by the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury and followed by Cheltenham’s Cleeve Hurdle, this prestigious event is a key stepping stone for runners with an eye on ultimate glory in the Stayers’ Hurdle. Since 1970, six horses have followed up in the big one at Prestbury Park in March, with Paisley Park (2018-19) the most recent to achieve the double.
Three days before the latest renewal goes under starter’s orders, 12 runners remained in contention, including the horse who achieved his big Grade 1 breakthrough in the event in 2023.
O’Brien Star Back for More
Having picked up three wins in his Novice hurdle campaign, Crambo headed into 2023/24 as one of the big Grade 1 hopes from the Gloucestershire operation of Fergal O’Brien. Kicking off with a win in a Class 2 handicap at Aintree and an unlucky in running third at Haydock, he arrived at the Long Walk Hurdle as a well-fancied 5/1 shot behind market leader West Balboa.
What followed was one of the most thrilling contests of the entire season. With the favourite fading out of contention, it was left to Crambo and the hugely popular Paisley Park to fight out the finish – and what a thriller they produced! Going at it hammer and tongs throughout the final furlong, Crambo ultimately toughed out best to master the gallant 11-year-old by a short head.
Thereafter, it all went wrong for Crambo, who managed only a well-beaten ninth in the Stayers Hurdle and a 46-length defeat in the Liverpool Hurdle at the Aintree Grand National Meeting. However, as a proven Grade 1 winner, with a perfect two-from-two record at Ascot, the son of Saddler Maker rates a major threat to all as he returns to the scene of his finest hour. Having missed his intended comeback in the Long Distance Hurdle due to a dirty scope, the seven-year-old is reportedly now fit and firing at home, with his trainer stating:
“I don’t see why he can’t do it again on Saturday if he turns up in the same form as last year”.
Strong Challenge to Overcome
Crambo will likely need to be at least as good as in 2023 if he is to land this prize on his first run in 252 days. Lying in wait amongst the likely opposition are a host of talented staying stars, heading by the following:
- Strong Leader – In common with Crambo, this Olly Murphy runner earned his first career Grade 1 success last season when staying on powerfully to claim the Liverpool Hurdle on his final outing. Returning with an impressive victory by three-and-a-half lengths in the Long Distance Hurdle, he currently heads the market
- The Wallpark – Surprisingly, the Long Walk Hurdle has yet to fall to a trainer based in Ireland. Bidding to change all that in 2024 is this JP McManus-owned star from the yard of Gordon Elliott. On the go since May, this six-year-old arrives in flying form, having won his past four starts. Last sighted landing a competitive three-mile handicap at Cheltenham, he tackles Grade 1 company for the first time
- Shoot First – If the current 12 runners stand their ground, this looks like a strong edition for the Irish. Hailing from the County Limerick yard of Charles Byrnes, Shoot First has won two of his three outings over three miles, including a competitive Grade 3 handicap at Haydock last time out
- Hiddenvalley Lake – This Henry de Bromhead runner is also set to make the trip across the Irish Sea. The 2024 Boyne Hurdle hero could manage only third behind Strong Leader in the Long Distance Hurdle last time out. However, he didn’t enjoy the best of luck in the closing stages and may have hopes of turning the tables
- Blueking d’Oroux – Successful with Big Bucks (2009, 2010, and 2011), Paul Nicholls needs just one more win to join François Doumen as the most successful trainer in the history of the race. Flying the Ditcheat flag this time around is one of the younger runners in the field, Blueking d’Oroux. The five-year-old managed only fifth behind Crambo in the 2023 edition but had previously mastered Strong Leader in a Grade 2 at this track
There is no shortage of intriguing contenders in what promises to be a thrilling renewal of this pre-Christmas highlight. Can Crambo do it again? Will Strong Leader continue his rise through the ranks? Or can the Irish win it at long last? This race is scheduled for 2:25 pm on Saturday.