The Grade One final before Christmas sees some of the remaining hurdlers clash at Ascot on Saturday at Long Uk, with Hereford, Newcastle and Wolverhampton also in action. Sky Sports Racing.
2.25 Ascot – Strong Leader & The Wallpark headline a Grade 1 field
Last year Hovden ban on long walks (2.25) seen Convulsion 12 months on, make Fergal O’Brien’s seven-year-old one better at old favorite Paisley Park.
Ollie Murphy Strong Leader he is widely seen as the new front-runner in this division after landing last season’s Liverpool Hurdle and returning with a win in the cross-country hurdles at Newbury last month.
The Wallpark, Perhaps Ireland’s next remaining star has been on a remarkable run since July, winning four in a row, including defying the 145 mark at Cheltenham in October.He enters ranked company for the first time but looks better.
Crembo’s best hopes may have rested on his records as a freshman, but he was a long way behind Strong Leader at Aintree in April.
It was the third day Hiddenvalley Lake For Henry De Bromhead, meanwhile Kateira (Dan Skelton), Blueking d’Oroux (Paul Nichols) and Shoot first (Charles Byrnes) certainly cannot be ignored. Beauport, Has botox and: Eagle Fang fill in the field.
Crembo and Paisley Park to contest 2023 long walk at Ascot
3.00 Ascot – Stylish chasers Trelawne and Victtorino clash
Three miles Howden Silver Cup Handicap Pursuit (3.00) looks like a competitive contest and comes out as a champion Victorino.
Venetia Williams’ runner is just 1lb higher in the weights than last year and after an excellent third in the Coral Gold Cup, Charlie Deutsch will be keen to continue.
Kim Bailey trained Trelawn super seasoned again when he sent off Iroko to land at Haydock in the finishing chase and rated a huge risk for the handicap company this pass.
The Changing Man ran a crushing race after defeat when second in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle on his last start and was looking for first chase success under Sam Twiston-Davies.
Victorino and Charlie Deutsch are on their way to Silver Cup success at Ascot last year
3.35 Ascot – Be Aware and Dysart Enos meet again
Fiercely competitive upgrade for value Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle (3.35) showing second and third at Cheltenham last month from Greatwood.
Dan Skelton Be aware chased home Burdett Road when second on that occasion and the five-year-old in this light race is the favorite despite being up 7lb.
Dysart Enos Enjoyed a fabulous novice campaign, winning all three starts and confidently entered the Be Aware at Cheltenham.He will be expected to improve on that experience, he will have to take this 4lb higher mark seriously.
Others to mention include Scottish Champion Steeplechase winner Kindness and wealth and Paul Nicholls’ unbeaten four-year-old Cabral Du Mathan.
Dystart Enos (right) chases home on Burdett Road in Greatwood
Watch every race at Ascot, Hereford, Newcastle and Wolverhampton on Saturday 21 December live on Sky Sports Racing.
