Here is the cheap way to take on the potential Long Walk favourite

Paisley Park
2.25 Ascot
Buy at 0.75 lengths in a match bet with Thyme Hill

The match bet cannot split Paisley Park and Thyme Hill in the Long Walk. On the form, both explicit and implied, of their Newbury meeting it is possibly fair enough, although I would have Paisley Park narrowly favoured.

Where the match bet becomes attractive is when the implications of a vastly different set of conditions are considered. Thyme Hill did Paisley Park for speed at Newbury and all of his previous form, with the exception of his sole defeat over hurdles in March's Albert Bartlett, was over short of 3m.

Paisley Park is a stayer all over. He has a tendency to hit a flat spot before seeing races out thoroughly. He has only once won by a big margin partly because conditions have rarely allowed. On heavy ground up Ascot's stiff home straight, he might just have the right mix to do so again.

While Thyme Hill clearly has class, he has yet to face the sort of stamina-sapping test under which Paisley Park will thrive. If that transpires, he could crack and lead to Paisley Park buyers scooping the lot. Even if he does, it seems unlikely the 2018 winner of this race will be left far behind. The risk-and-reward profile of this match bet is an attractive one.

2.25 Ascot
Sporting (50-25-10): 20-23 Paisley Park, Thyme Hill, 11-14 Main Fact, 10-13 Roksana, 4-6 Younevercall, 3-5 The Worlds End, Thistlecrack, 2-4 The Jam Man, 1-3 Portrush Ted, Third Wind

Match bet: Paisley Park/Thyme Hill -0.75-0.75

3.00 Ascot
Sporting (50-25-10): 17-20 The Conditional, 13-16 Espoir De Guye, 8-11 Regal Encore, Quarenta, 7-9 Mister Malarky, Ardlethen, 5-7 Beware The Bear, 4-6 Flying Angel, Enfant Roi, 2-4 Sub Lieutenant, 1-3 Fauburg Rosetgri

Match bet: The Conditional/Espoir De Guye 0-1.5

3.35 Ascot
Sporting (50-30-20-10-5 (5 bonus for buyers only)): 13-16 Buzz, 10-13 Benson, 8-11 Malaya, Arrivederci, 7-9 Oakley, Time Flies By, 6-8 Kid Commando, Lightly Squeeze, 5-7 Isolate, 4-6 Botox Has, Harambe, Not So Sleepy, Night Edition, Belfast Banter, 3-5 Master Debonair, 2-4 West To The Bridge, 1-3 Cormier

Match bet: Buzz/Benson 0.75-2.25

Join Members' Club Ultimate and read tipping from the likes of Pricewise and Paul Kealy, all the big interviews and features, daily comment and news analysis – plus our Ultimate Daily newsletter. Click here to sign up.