Hopes high ahead of Crambo’s Long Walk hat-trick bid

Crambo has the opportunity to join illustrious company by becoming a three-time winner of the Howden Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.

The brilliant French stayer Baracouda won four editions of the pre-Christmas Grade One between 2000 and 2004, since when both Big Buck’s (2009-2011) and Reve De Sivola (2012-2014) have completed hat-tricks while Paisley Park won his three over a five year period between 2018 and 2022.

Having beaten Paisley Park by a short head in 2023 and Hiddenvalley Lake by a head 12 months ago, Crambo returns to defend his crown this weekend – and while the eight-year-old been largely disappointing since last year’s triumph, his trainer Fergal O’Brien is hopeful he can show his true colours on Saturday.

“I’m hoping he runs well and has a good run,” said the Ravenswell Farm handler.

“I’m looking forward to him running, if he gets the rub of the green he won’t be far away, fingers crossed.

“I’m very optimistic. He’s in great shape at home and he loves Ascot. I suppose we could have done with a little bit more rain, but other than that we’re really looking forward to him going.”

Crambo may be the dual defending champion, but an emerging force in the division could be Nicky Henderson’s Impose Toi, who followed up a cosy handicap success at Aintree by downing Olly Murphy’s reopposing Strong Leader in Newbury’s Long Distance Hurdle last month.

He is joined in the line-up by Cheltenham Festival-winning stablemate Doddiethegreat who was back in fourth at Newbury, beaten six lengths.

“They’re both in good form and the riders at home are happy with them,” said Henderson.

“You would hope Impose Toi is the new name in the division and he was good at Newbury last time. He beat perhaps the best of the English then but he’ll have one of Gordon Elliott’s (Honesty Policy) to take on this time.

“Doddie is a fair bit better off at the weights as well this time, so we will give it a go.

“They have got to run when you have horses who are genuine three-milers and they are top of the handicap, you can’t win handicaps off those ratings, so we have to look at races like this. We’re lucky to have two of them capable of being involved.”

Honesty Policy won a Grade One novice event at Aintree in the spring and like Impose Toi carries the colours of owner JP McManus.

He will be joined on a raiding mission from Ireland by Lorna Fowler’s admirable Colonel Mustard, who is seeking a hat-trick following autumn wins at Sligo and Navan, while further international flavour is provided by David Cottin’s French raider Jet Blue.

Returning to the home contingent, last year’s third Beauport is given the chance to improve on that finishing position for Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies, but the father and son duo could prove to have stronger claims with the highly regarded Potters Charm.

He moves back up to three miles after an honourable third in the Ascot Hurdle and his team are confident both of their contenders can make their mark.

Willy Twiston-Davies said: “We’re looking forward to running them both and Beauport of course ran well in the race last year when third, but it might just be a stronger renewal this year.

“He looks in very good form at home, he has been working fine and as for Potters Charm, this looks the logical step for him.

“He ran very well when third here last time, which was technically his first run of the year as he didn’t do a tap up at Wetherby, and I’m a little surprised by his price considering he was favourite to beat Strong Leader at Wetherby and is double the price now.

“I think he goes there with every chance and we’ll see where we stand after Saturday.”