Star staying hurdlers will be the centre of attention on Saturday as Cheltenham Festival fancy Buzz, Thyme Hill and dual winner Paisley Park line up in the featured Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.
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Racing Post tipster Tom Collins previews Saturday’s action at Ascot for MansionBet.
12.40 – Foundation Developments Novices’ Handicap Hurdle
Dan Skelton has an eye-catching 21 per cent strike-rate (7-34, +£18.53 to £1 level stakes) with hurdlers at Ascot in the last five years and he is solely represented by Go Steady in the opener.
This relatively lightly raced nine-year-old has a liking for flat tracks and proved he was well ahead of the handicapper when he overcame a catastrophic error at the final hurdle at Hereford last time out. He has sound claims of following up off 5lb higher.
Selection: Go Steady @ SP
1.15 – Howden Graduation Chase
Few chasers have jumped as well as Messire Des Obeaux did when he made a winning chase debut at Wincanton last year. Alan King’s scopey nine-year-old didn’t put a foot wrong throughout and beat a smart type in Coconut Splash.
He followed that by beating Protektorat over the same course and distance before his form tailed off. Perhaps Messire Des Obeaux is an early-season type – if that’s the case, you shouldn’t look elsewhere.
Selection: Messire Des Obeaux @ SP
1.50 – Howden Handicap Chase
This 2m3f chase is wide open – you can make a case for virtually every runner in the 11-strong field. When that’s the case, I like to side with likely improvers and Knight In Dubai stands out in that regard.
Tough to train and therefore not regularly seen on the track, Knight In Dubai recorded back-to-back successes over fences in 2019 and has been pitched in tougher races ever since. He performed creditably despite jumping errors last time and should improve for that run.
Selection: Knight In Dubai @ 11/2
2.25 – Howden Long Walk Hurdle
The Stayers’ Hurdle division is thriving and old foes Paisley Park and Thyme Hill will face off once again in the Long Walk Hurdle. That pair fought out a thrilling finish in this race 12 months ago, but may struggle against new star on the scene, Buzz, this time around.
The Nicky Henderson-trained grey backed up his impressive Cesarewitch success with a bloodless victory in the Ascot Hurdle and stepping up to 3m should suit.
Selection: Buzz @ 2/1
3.00 – Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase
I’m going to fall into the trap of Jerrysback once again. Much like stablemate Zanza, this horse has always promised plenty but largely failed to deliver due to jumping frailties, as proven on his seasonal reappearance when he got no further than the third fence.
However, three of his best five performances on figures have come at Ascot and he’s clearly more talented than a mark of 138 suggests.
Selection: Jerrysback @15/2
3.35 – Betfair Exchange Trophy Handicap Hurdle
Providing they go a fast gallop, Luttrell Lad looks the value each-way play in this exceptionally tricky Grade 3 handicap hurdle.
The top of the market is full of unexposed and talented hurdlers and Luttrell Lad, who is available at a double-figure price at the time of writing, has been overlooked.
With just 10st 8lb on his back, this Philip Hobbs-trained five-year-old is expected to play a big hand on a track that suits.
Selection: Luttrell Lad @ 11/1
*All odds correct at time of writing