Ghosts of Long Walks past hover over Paisley's aura of invincibility

Christmas is a time for giving and sharing and Paisley Park may provide racing fans with an early present to quench their insatiable thirst for equine dominance – and nobody can question how much we have been spoilt in the last decade.

Racing’s obsession with a long line of ones, an unbeaten sequence to rival all the other memorable winning runs, has been well catered for by Big Buck’s, Douvan and Altior in recent years, and there has been Frankel, Winx and Enable on the Flat for those who prefer their going descriptions to contain 'firm' rather than 'heavy', their suits to their tweed and their panamas to their flat caps.

Some of that attire is unlikely to appeal in the predicted wet and wintry conditions, but the hardy souls who brave Ascot in their thousands will at least be warmed by the chance to see the next possible name on that stellar list and for the latest chapter in the heartening story of an owner who has rapidly risen to prominence at the very top of the sport.

Marsh Hurdle favourite Paisley Park has not quite reached the heights or double-figure runs of the aforementioned superstars but Andrew Gemmell’s champion, who is named after Prince’s home and recording studio, can certainly claim the title of king of the staying hurdlers. And the king’s reign appears set to continue for a little longer now he has begun scaring off competitors to the throne.

Click here for Marsh Hurdle line-up

Gemmell, trainer Emma Lavelle and regular pilot Aidan Coleman face a very different scenario from that of Paisley Park’s breakthrough success 12 months ago, yet the dominant seven-year-old’s task has been eased significantly by the small field in opposition and the absence of If The Cap Fits, Thistlecrack and any challengers from Ireland in a race registered and far better known as the Long Walk Hurdle.

The sequence therefore stands at six, although Altior’s loss after a run of 19 wins at this same spot in Berkshire last month – albeit against a calibre of opposition in Cyrname that Paisley Park does not have to worry about here – offers a timely reminder nothing is certain in horseracing. Perhaps it may be wise to expect the unexpected.

Barring an unforeseen market move of epic proportions Paisley Park will become the 12th odds-on favourite to contest the Grade 1 this century, but favourite backers be warned – four of the first 11 failed to land the odds.

Reve De Sivola made most to beat the last two odds-on favourites in this race and Tony McCoy famously executed such tactics perfectly to shock Baracouda on Deano’s Beeno, so perhaps one of Davy Russell, Nico de Boinville, Adrian Heskin, Tom Bellamy and Leighton Aspell will take inspiration from history as they attempt to slay the latest superstar stayer.

Reve De Sivola beat the last two odds-on favourites in the Long Walk HurdleCredit: Alan Crowhurst

It only takes two to make a great race, as regulars at Ascot were reminded of in the summer. The challenge might be working out which of Paisley Park’s five rivals is up to rising to the occasion.

Pipe could be your man again

If the Long Walk appears a straightforward story the remainder of Saturday’s terrestrial races have a much more open look to them, with two lucrative handicaps at Ascot – the Dave Dawes Silver Cup and the Betfair Exchange Trophy – looking particularly tricky puzzles.

Such puzzles in the past have seen racegoers turn to the name Pipe, and Umbrigado could follow stablemate Warthog, who landed last Saturday's Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, by bagging another big-race success for the Pond House stable in the £150,000 hurdle that concludes Ascot’s year.

David Pipe: could have a strong say in two of Saturday's main handicapsCredit: Harry Trump

David Pipe has already surpassed the number of winners he accumulated in each of the last two seasons and has a good record in Haydock's Betway Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase, having claimed two of the last five runnings. His Daklondike bids to follow up last year's win in the race.

Best of the rest

It will be attritional, stamina-sapping racing at Ascot and Haydock but speed freaks should still get a thrill at Lingfield, where one-time Derby hope Dubai Warrior is part of a strong hand for John Gosden in the Listed Betway Quebec Stakes.

Gosden’s team passed 200 winners worldwide on Wednesday and a £37,000 pot, for which Dubai Warrior and stablemate Court House chase in a field of five, could nudge the trainer’s domestic prize-money haul agonisingly close to the £8 million mark for 2019. Every little helps at this time of year, after all.

One-time Derby hope Dubai Warrior runs in the Quebec Stakes at LingfieldCredit: Edward Whitaker

Title-chasing jockey Brian Hughes has four rides away from the limelight and championship rival Richard Johnson at Newcastle. Unbeaten chaser Glittering Love (1.40) looks the pick of his chances to keep the pressure firmly on the reigning champion.

The highlight at Thurles is the Listed Boreen Belle Mares Novice Hurdle (1.55), a race Henry de Bromhead took with rising star Honeysuckle last year. Wide-margin Punchestown winner Drury makes the step up for Willie Mullins.

Armchair guide

1.50 Ascot
Plymouth Gin Handicap Chase
Kim Bailey emphasised soft underfoot conditions were important to First Flow and he turns out quickly in handicap company after a 20-length novice chase win at Hereford last Saturday. Mr Medic won this race for Robert Walford in 2017 but he is 11lb higher this time around.

2.25 Ascot
Marsh Hurdle (Registered As The Long Walk Hurdle)
This Grade 1 has been one by six winners of the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham three months later. Paisley Park completed that memorable double last season and is fully expected to deliver the goods again, with the returning L’Ami Serge is possibly his biggest danger despite a significant absence.

2.40 Haydock
Betway Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase
David Pipe and owner Caroline Tisdall had a big-race success last weekend and they look to extend that run here with last year’s winner Daklondike. Vintage Clouds has not finished outside the top three on eight completed starts at Haydock but he is hard to win with.

3.00 Ascot
Dave Dawes Silver Cup Handicap Chase
Paul Nicholls will no doubt have one eye on next week’s King George VI Chase but his stable could receive a timely boost with Grade 1 winner Black Corton and Badger Beers victor Give Me A Copper giving the Ditcheat trainer a strong hand. Crievehill and Acting Lass also arrive on the back of wins.

Badger Ales winner Give Me A Copper will bid for another big handicap success for Paul Nicholls and part-owner Sir Alex FergusonCredit: Edward Whitaker

3.15 Haydock
Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap Hurdle
Ballymoy and Clyne both took this handicap hurdle on their rise through the ranks, although this year’s renewal has attracted just five runners. Grade 1-winning novice Poetic Rhythm reverts to hurdles after a brief stint over fences, but Chti Balko boasts a good course record featuring two wins, a second and two thirds.

3.35 Ascot
Betfair Exchange Trophy

David Pipe, Evan Williams and Nicky Henderson have all had big Saturday winners in recent weeks and their runners dominate the head of the betting. Umbrigado drops noticeably in trip and Quoi De Neuf has an eyecatching fourth behind subsequent Greatwood winner Harambe in the book. Henderson’s runners were rampant at Cheltenham last week and Countister and French Crusader are his hopes.

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