Keith Melrose on a competitive Long Distance where potential is the watchword
The resistance many of us feel towards the Cheltenham Festival monomania of the jumps season demands that nobody should call this renewal of the Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle a trial for anything. Comrades, we would be wrong.
While this field is the best likely to be seen in a three-mile hurdle race this side of the Stayers' Hurdle in March, those looking to bet in it must be realistic about the aims of the participants. This applies most strongly with last year's winner, Paisley Park.
As seemingly befits a champion staying hurdler these days, he took a virtually textbook route through last season. He won this race and the Cleeve Hurdle, missing the Long Walk only because of deteriorating ground, before turning up as an odds-on favourite at Cheltenham, where he failed to deliver.
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 inPreviews
Last updated
Copy- 12.45 Windsor: 'I did well there in the past' - Alan King optimistic with Helnwein as jump racing returns
- 2.55 Navan: Potters Party a big player with track, trip and ground all set to suit in competitive handicap chase
- The next Samcro or Sir Gerhard could be on show at Navan and trainers out to create history at Windsor
- 1.55 Windsor: How big a threat is this unexposed Venetia Williams chaser? Analysis and trainer quotes for staying handicap
- Crowds expected to flock to Windsor as jump racing returns to Thameside venue for the first time since 2005
- 12.45 Windsor: 'I did well there in the past' - Alan King optimistic with Helnwein as jump racing returns
- 2.55 Navan: Potters Party a big player with track, trip and ground all set to suit in competitive handicap chase
- The next Samcro or Sir Gerhard could be on show at Navan and trainers out to create history at Windsor
- 1.55 Windsor: How big a threat is this unexposed Venetia Williams chaser? Analysis and trainer quotes for staying handicap
- Crowds expected to flock to Windsor as jump racing returns to Thameside venue for the first time since 2005