Long Walk Hurdle Preview
Renowned for its glamour, class and prestige, not for the
first time since the national hunt season has commenced, we see Royal Ascot
revert to jumps action on Saturday. Known
as the Ladbroke meeting, the fixture offers crucial insight and is often a
jungle for punters to attempt to fathom. As the namesake suggests, the entire
day is geared towards the 2 mile speed test, enhanced by the sheer number of
runners, which makes for an undoubtedly tricky betting prospect. Previous winners
include Sentry Duty, Tamarinbleu and 2011 victor Raya Star. That aside, racing
followers have been accustomed to tuning in to the Long Walk hurdle earlier on
in the card at 2:25 to witness a schooling session for the mightily unchallengeable
Big Bucks. However, with that name absent this year, and with gallant Newbury winner
Celestial Halo now ruled out with a foot infection the field is reduced once
more with only the quintet remaining. Heads are turned to McCoy’s mount and it
looks an ideal opportunity for classy Curtis recruit At Fishers Cross to redeem
last outings defeat.
Of late the minimalistic fields topic seems to be constantly
gathering momentum and remains to post continuous concerns for those in racing,
and with the current field of 5 for the £75,000 contest, it is not overly
encouraging here. However, all of the horses engaged are rated above 160, the
only exception being Tom Symonds’ runner Tweedledrum. This highlights that the select
field is not without quality. As previously mentioned we were due to see
Celestial Halo grace the turf once again to take on At Fishers Cross whom was
unfortunate last time, this rematch alone looked something to savour yet as
another absentee is announced the disappointment grows. Among latest
withdrawals are brave Coral Cup winner Medinas and puzzling grey Grands Crus
(The pipe trained chaser has appeared to have soured with age) and does not
attempt to bounce back on this occasion. Entries include previously mentioned
At Fishers Cross, fences reject and French Grade 1 winner Reve De Sivola, Gold
Cup 5th Time For Rupert returns from injury along with tough weekend
horse Salubrious. Outsider Tweedledrum completes the line-up.
The logical starting point would be to address Celestial
Halo’s precession-like 17 length win in the long distance hurdle at Newbury
last time- albeit benefitting from the catastrophic error made by At Fishers
Cross at the second last flight. Personally I am among the believers that the
Rebecca Curtis gelding would have not had it easy had he taken the hurdle in
his stride. Ever-green Celestial Halo (alike Reve De Sivola who has graded wins
to his name across the water) had been jumping with great fluidity and rhythm,
and Jacob had got a breather into him to ensure he could utilize his battling
qualities to best effect had he needed them. It wasn’t to be. Yet with racing
we know it is totally unpredictable and followers of the sport are aware of the
sheer talent At Fishers Cross has after displaying so in his 6 facile victories
last season. There is little doubt that should he turn up at the same level as
he was at last year, this is his for the taking. Yet last time out his jumping was
markedly underwhelming and lacked fluidity in abundance, he didn’t travel as
strongly as we know he is capable of either, so in areas doubt still remains.
Reve De Sivola won this race by 14 lengths in 2012 and
although the same margin separated him from Celestial Halo in the race
mentioned previously, he would have to be considered the main danger to At
Fishers Cross. On official ratings he only has a pound to find and is likely to
run another solid race on ground in which he can revel, yet this will also
majorly benefit the chances of the favourite. Should At Fishers Cross produce
another lack lustre performance shy of his best, the tough 8 year old will
surely take advantage.
Time For Rupert reappears from a rare injury, a growth was
discovered in his head, this could have caused the gelding to lose his sight had
it been unidentified. He has reportedly recovered well from the ordeal after an
operation and offers a link to the imperious Big Buck’s after resolutely
chasing him home in the 2010 edition of the World Hurdle, only to be denied 3 ¼
lengths. Although his career has been invaded by injuries and inconsistencies
he is undoubtedly a top class performer on his day, yet in all reality, it is
very unlikely he is to defy such a layoff on Saturday. Time For Rupert is the
oldest horse in the race at the age of 9 and is likely to be up against it with
the younger contenders snapping at his heels. The Grand National 2014 is his
main target so it is unlikely he is 100% tuned up for his return to action.
For Saturday race goers Salubrious is becoming a familiar
name- the Nicholls trained hurdler has ran creditably twice on Cheltenham’s
staged meetings on Saturdays, and he bids to go one better here. After forcing
the pace last time, which arguably is not his preferred role, he finished 2 ¼ lengths
behind JP McManus’s useful novice More Of That. Notably he was given a master
class of a ride by none other than Sports Personality Of The Year placed AP
McCoy. I struggle to see him winning here, as his price suggests at 7-1, yet
this consistent and tough 6 year old travels remarkably in his races and stays
incredibly well so it would be foolish to discard him totally, especially
seeing as the field lacks quantity.
Last of the contenders is 100-1 shot Tweedledrum, this mare
is rated 123 respectively and gains her 7lb allowance yet has no real chance in
this company. With 5th place up for grabs and almost £2000 on offer,
it seems she is here to jump a clear round and pick up some prize money, which
she is totally entitled to do and I hope she runs well for connections. Little
more can be said in regards to her chances.
To conclude, Ascot racecourse will sorely miss the overwhelming
presence of established star Big Buck’s this weekend, but after pleasing Paul
Nicholls in his gallop at Exeter racecourse on Thursday, we eagerly await his
return. This year’s Long Walk hurdle could reveal new dangers he may face upon
his belated return to the National Hunt scene. At Fishers Cross looks to have
the perfect opportunity to pick up where he left of last season and has the
advantage of familiar rider Tony McCoy aboard who will surely get the best out
of him. Time For Rupert is surely best watched on all evidence and it is likely
Salubrious will find one too good yet again. Reve De Sivola is an integral
player and should give the favourite a race if he falls short.
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