Long Walk Hurdle tips and predictions: West Balboa our selection
The second day of Ascot’s traditional pre-Christmas meeting takes place this afternoon and the feature Long Walk Hurdle (2.25pm) is one of the most keenly anticipated races in the staying division at the world-renowned Berkshire venue.
Run over 3m ½f, the Long Walk is a gruelling test of stamina with a finish that is uphill all the way from Swinley Bottom. It is usually won by a horse who goes the distance well and often throws up a live contender for the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
A field of 10 has been declared for this afternoon’s race and our expert has picked out a pair to follow.
Long Walk Hurdle, Ascot, Saturday December 23, 2.25pm
- Gowel Road @ 22/1
Long Walk Hurdle tips
- Selection: West Balboa @ 5/2 with Betfair
- Next best: Dashel Drasher @ 7/1 with Betfair
The above odds are correct at the time of publishing and subject to chang
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Balboa can land the knockout blow
There is a lot to like about the way WEST BALBOA has progressed through the ranks and the seven-year-old mare showed she has trained on over the summer when adding a victory at Aintree last month to her two wins at the end of last term in handicaps. Her seasonal reappearance triumph was a career-best effort.
This daughter of Yeats out of Rostellan probably would have found the drop to 2m 4f against her, but she travelled well enough to stay in contention and powered clear after the last to beat the smart Brewin’upastorm by 12 lengths. That was the performance of a Grade 1 horse in the making and she bids to prove that here.
Her trainer Dan Skelton has had a difficult season, but West Balboa appears to be one of his best chances for Grade 1 glory this campaign as she gets weight from all of these rivals as the only female in the field.
Her best form has come on flat tracks, so Cheltenham may not be her place. With that in mind, this is likely to be her main target rather than the Stayers’ Hurdle. She has run well enough at Sandown in the past to suggest that this stiff, right-handed venue will not be a problem.
The return to 3m ½f is certain to suit her, and with Harry Skelton on steering duties she can improve past more exposed rivals.
Selection: West Balboa @ 5/2 with Betfair
Plenty of dash left in Drasher
There are three elder statesmen in the line-up in the shape of Paisley Park and Champ, both 11, and the 10-year-old DASHEL DRASHER. If this Grade 1 is to go to one of the established performers, it is likely to be the youngest of the trio.
He produced some of the best form he has ever shown last season, when the highlight was a second behind Sire Du Berlais in the Stayers’ Hurdle, and he was beaten by only three-quarters of a length.
Dashel Drasher probably needed his seasonal reappearance when third behind the reopposing Botox Has at Wetherby last month and showed the benefit of that to go on and land the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on December 1, staying on well to see off the late challenge of Paisley Park by a head.
Jeremy Scott’s charge will need to improve on that to win his first Long Walk, but he showed in the Cotswolds last season that he is capable of a high level when at his best, and he has been schooled for this race.
Selection: Dashel Drasher @ 7/1 with Betfair
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