The Grade One final before Christmas will see some of the main hurdles still facing the Long Track at Ascot on Saturday, with Hereford, Newcastle and Wolverhampton all alive. Sky Sports Racing.
2.25 Ascot – Strong Leader & The Wallpark ahead of Grade 1 field
last year Howden Long Walk Hurdle (2.25) saw Cramp get the better of old Paisley Park in a thrilling upset, but seven-year-old Fergal O'Brien now faces even tougher competition 12 months on.
Olly Murphy A strong leader widely seen as the new leader in this division after reaching last season's Liverpool Hurdle and returning with victory in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last month.
The Wall Park, perhaps Ireland's next resident star, has been on an incredible run since July, winning four in a row including when he went against a mark of 145 at Cheltenham in October . He steps up to grade company for the first time but looks capable of being better.
Crambo's best hopes may have rested on his record as a freshman, but he was well behind Strong Leader at Aintree in April.
It was the third day Lake of the valleys for Henry De Bromhead, while he was Four (Dan Skelton), Blueking d'Oroux (Paul Nicholls) and Shoot first (Charles Byrnes) certainly cannot be ruled out. Beauport, Botox has and An eagle's fang complete the field.
Crambo and Paisley Park battle it out in the 2023 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot
3.00 Ascot – classic fans Trelawne & Victtorino battle it out
The three thousand Howden Silver Cup Steeplechase (3.00) watching a competitive tournament and featuring a defending champion Victorian.
Runner Venetia Williams is just 1lbs higher in the weights than last year and, after finishing third in the Coral Gold Cup, will be keen to follow under Charlie Deutsch.
Kim Bailey – trained Trelawne he made a very seasonable reappearance when he saw off Iroko to land Graduation Graduation at Haydock and he reckons this switch to barrier company is a big risk.
The Changing Man ran a cracking race in defeat when second in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle last start as he seeks first success in the chase under Sam Twiston-Davies.
Victorino and Charlie Deutsch are on their way to Silver Cup success at Ascot last year
3.35 Ascot – Be Aware & Dysart Enos meet again
A very competitive replacement of the valuable material Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle (3.35) appearing second and third from the Greatwood at Cheltenham last month.
Dan Skelton Be aware chased home Burdett Road when second in that event and this lightweight five-year-old is the choice despite a 7lb increase in the weights.
Dysart Enos enjoyed a superb novice campaign, winning all three starts and ran creditably behind Be Aware at Cheltenham. Expecting that experience to improve, she needs to be taken significantly off this 4lb higher mark.
Others of note include Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Favor And Fortune and Paul Nicholls four years unbeaten Cabral Du Mathan.
Dystart Enos (right) runs home on Burdett Road in Coylemore
Watch all the races from Ascot, Hereford, Newcastle and Wolverhampton all live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday, December 21
