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SportsCasting

Andy Newton

Long Walk Hurdle Runners, Trends and Ascot Past Winners

Olly Murphy Ascot Long Walk Paul Nicholls Gordon Elliott JP McManus (Person) Sean Bowen Paisley Park

The Long Walk Hurdle 2024 is the standout race this weekend at Ascot – the last big race day before Boxing Day for horse racing lovers – and this year’s renewal looks a competitive affair with 10 runners.

One of the intended Long Walk Hurdle runners will be last year’s hero Crambo, who saw off the three-time winner of the race Paisley Park in a thrilling finish 12 months ago (watch below).

Plus, last year’s fifth Blueking d’Oroux is also expected to be back for more as trainer Paul Nicholls eyes his fourth success in the Ascot race.

Long Walk Hurdle Runners 2024: Strong Leader Heads Competitive Ascot Field

As it stands there are 10 Long Walk Hurdle runners still holding an entry in the 2024 race – with the Olly Murphy-trained Strong Leader heading the market with the best horse racing betting sites in the UK.

Strong Leader was last seen winning the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (watch below) – beating Monmiral by a comfortable 3 1/2 lengths, while before that landed the Grade One Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree back in April.

He’ll be running in the race for the first time and will be looking to give trainer Olly Murphy and jockey Sean Bowen their first winners in the race.

The last horses to win the Long Distance and Long Walk Hurdle in the same season were Unowhatimeanharry in 2016, Thistlecrack in 2015 and Big Buck’s in 2011.

Strong Leader enjoys success in the @Coral Long Distance Hurdle 🏆

Strong Leader puts his name on the list of Long Distance Hurdle greats, while sealing trainer and jockey duo – Sean Bowen and Olly Murphy – their second win in Friday’s feature race 🚀@Sean_Bowen_ pic.twitter.com/RaxPhVV6yz

— Newbury Racecourse (@NewburyRacing) December 6, 2024

Long Walk Hurdle Runners 2024

Beauport
Blueking d’Oroux
Botox Has
Crambo
Eagle Fang
Hiddenvalley Lake
Kateira
Shoot First
Strong Leader
The Wallpark

Long Walk Hurdle Trends: The Last Winning Favourite Was In 2019

We’ve seen 10 winning Long Walk Hurdle favourites in the last 22 runnings – however, the last winning jolly was The Worlds End in 2019.

While the other key Long Walk Hurdle stats to take into the race are that 95% of the last 22 winners had raced in the last 7 week. Plus, all of the last 19 winners were UK-trained.

22/22 – Aged 6 or older
21/22 – Ran within the last 7 weeks
21/22 – Winners that went onto race in that season’s Stayers’ Hurdle (Cheltenham Festival) (6 won, 4 runners-up)
19/22– Placed in the top three last time out
17/22 – Placed favourites
17/22 – Aged 8 or younger
17/22 – Won at least 4 times over hurdles
16/22 – Won over at least 3m (hurdles)
13/22– Ran at Newbury last time out
12/22– French-bred horse
10/22 – Won last time out
10/22 – Favourites
7/22 – Won by a past winner of the race
3/22 – Trained by Paul Nicholls
3/22 – Trained by Emma Lavelle
0/22 – Irish-trained winners
Crambo (5/1) won the race in 2023

2023 Hero Crambo Looking To Join A Whole Host Of Recent Repeat Long Walk Hurdle Winners

Crambo provided trainer Fergal O’Brien with one of his biggest career wins in the Long Walk Hurdle in 2023 – pulling clear with multiple winner Paisley Park to win by a short-head – and will be back to defend his title (watch below).

However, since then this 7 year-old has run two poor races in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham and last time when beaten 46 lengths in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree by Strong Leader.

He’s, therefore, got to bounce back here and also returns from a 252-day break.

If last year’s horse racing hero can return to form, he’ll be the first repeat winner since Reve De Sivola, who won three on the bounce between 2012 and 2014.

While Crambo would also join the likes of Paisley Park, who he beat last year and is now retired, Big Buck’s and Baracouda – who are all also multiple winners of the Long Walk.

WATCH: Crambo Winning The 2023 Long Walk Hurdle

Paul Nicholls Looking To Become The Joint Winning-Most Long Walk Hurdle Trainer

The winning-most Long Walk Hurdle trainer is Francois Doumen with four wins – all Baracouda.

But Paul Nicholls is hot on his heels with three wins (all Big Buck’s), so if he can win Saturday’s Ascot race with Blueking d’Oroux will join Doumen at the top of the list.

Blueking d’Oroux ran well in the race 12 months ago until fading in the closing stages to be 5th – but he was only aged 4 years-old, so with another year on his back has to enter calculations.

The Long Walk Hurdle Trends Also Suggest Looking For A Top Three Finish Last Time Out

Another of the big Long Walk Hurdle trends to note is a ‘top three’ run last time out.

This is because 95% of the last 22 winners ticked this Ascot stat – including last year’s winner Crambo.

However, this year, with Crambo running only 8th last time, this will be a big trend he’ll need to overcome if he’s to successfully defend his crown.

Kerryhill and Botox Has are others that would fall down if confirmed Long Walk Hurdle runners.

Gordon Elliott Looking For First Long Walk Hurdle Win

The Irish don’t often send runners to the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, but this year is set to be different with Henry De Bromhead having Hiddenvalley Lake entered, plus Gordon Elliott having prolific winner The Wallpark.

Hiddenvalley Lake would come here winning 50% of his six hurdles starts and was a fine third to Strong Leader at Aintree in the Liverpool Hurdle last time out – beaten only 4 3/4 lengths.

The Wallpark now runs in the JP McManus colours (bought him after his last win) and we know JP has a good record in this race – winning it with Champ, Unowhatimeanharry and, of course Baracouda four times.

This 7 year-old was last seen winning at Cheltenham at their October Meeting – beating Gowel Road by 2 1/2 lengths in a handicap and is stepping up into graded company for the first time.

He’s won his last four and even though will need more here is a horse his trainer says only does enough and so could have more improvement to come.

🚨 BREAKING: JP McManus has purchased THE WALLPARK a leading fancy at the Cheltenham Festival.

He remains in training with Gordon Elliott.

The current 10/1 fav for the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham! 💚💛pic.twitter.com/KZi30nAVZ7

— Stephen R Power (@racingblogger) December 8, 2024