Crambo fails to better last year's winning figure - and is a long way off what's needed to land the Stayers' Hurdle

The Grade 1 Howden Long Walk Hurdle was the highlight of Ascot's two-day meeting and, although it served up a thrilling finish with last year's winner Crambo (154) just denying (154), in Racing Post Ratings it wasn't a strong race.
A race-fit Crambo ran to a figure of 156 when denying race regular Paisley Park a fourth victory in the contest last year, but that figure fell some 5lb below the ten-year-average for the race and Saturday's winning mark was 2lb shy of that.
The winner and the returning Hiddenvalley Lake are probably both capable of rating higher and may well yet break through the 160-barrier, but, even though it is now the weakest of the main championship races at the Cheltenham Festival, the ten-year-average RPR for winners of the Stayers' Hurdle is 166 – and that still looks a long way.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inRacing Post Ratings
Last updated
- Another Aintree success could beckon for Pic D'Orhy after return to peak form
- Final Demand sets high standard in novice division after recording best performance of the season in Britain or Ireland
- East India Dock close to Triumph-winning level as he throws down gauntlet to Lulamba
- These two Ascot winners were impressive - but they look short enough for their targets at the Cheltenham Festival
- Expect more to come from impressive Handstands - but this weekend winner was even better and can put it up to Ballyburn at Cheltenham
- Another Aintree success could beckon for Pic D'Orhy after return to peak form
- Final Demand sets high standard in novice division after recording best performance of the season in Britain or Ireland
- East India Dock close to Triumph-winning level as he throws down gauntlet to Lulamba
- These two Ascot winners were impressive - but they look short enough for their targets at the Cheltenham Festival
- Expect more to come from impressive Handstands - but this weekend winner was even better and can put it up to Ballyburn at Cheltenham