'He has a turn of foot and I don’t see a lot of pace here' - former top jump jockey Daryl Jacob joins our panel to assess the big weekend action

Who will be Britain's last Grade 1 winner before Christmas in the Long Walk Hurdle (2.25 Ascot)?

Daryl Jacob, former jockey I thought Jasmin De Vaux would be a genuine Stayers’ Hurdle contender this season and Honesty Policy was only half a length behind him in a truly run race at Punchestown in the spring. That's the form I’m most excited about. Honesty Policy will be suited tactically with a little bit of pace on. Impose Toi still has to show he can jump up to Grade 1 level.

Paul Jacobs, multiple naps champion Beauport could repeat his front-running tactics from last year and get an easy lead that may see him placed again at a double-figure price. I’m not sure Impose Toi will get home in a truly run race on sticky ground, so French raider Jet Blue is the call with Harry Cobden up top.

Keith Melrose, betting editor Is Beauport the answer to the question? Probably not, but he led for 3m of the 3m½f last year and he looks to have been priced dismissively again. He has a few things you shouldn't underestimate: affinity with the course, a style of racing that gives him an edge, especially on the rain-softened ground that will also suit him. Back him each-way. 

Crambo (pink) overhauls Beauport (far side) in last year's Long Walk HurdleCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Tom Park, tipster I'll take Crambo to land a Long Walk hat-trick. He's won three out of four at Ascot and you'd expect connections to have him in tip-top condition as this is likely to be his best chance of a Grade 1 this season. He was last of eight when well beaten on his reappearance over a trip too short, but he'd been well beaten last year on his previous start too. Double-figure odds seem generous.

Jack Ready, Tote Honesty Policy is the one to be with here. He ran a cracker when runner-up behind Jasmin De Vaux at Punchestown last time and that form looks right up there with the best on offer in this race. He's still only five and could take high rank in this division this season.

Is Alexei a Champion Hurdle contender or do you fancy something else for the Rotary Club Festive Handicap Hurdle (3.35 Ascot)?

Daryl Jacob Alexei still has an awfully long way to go to be up there with the genuine Champion Hurdle horses. I really like Wilful and he has a massive turnaround in the weights with Alexei from Chepstow, but I'll side with Mondo Man. He was runner-up last time to Harry Derham’s Mossy Fen Road, who I like a lot, and I like his chance because he has a turn of foot and I don’t see a lot of pace here. 

Paul Jacobs He could be, but I think he was flattered by his win in the Greatwood when plenty fell into his lap. Wilful has a huge 19lb turnaround with Alexei on Welsh Champion Hurdle form and he's handicapped to go close as long as Jonjo O'Neill Jr holds on to him for a bit longer.

Keith Melrose Alexei looked like he was going to the moon when he won the Greatwood. So I'm with him, the only niggle being whether a hard race at Cheltenham will have taken it out of him. These 2m handicap hurdles aren't as competitive as they used to be and any horse bound for Grade 2s, let alone Grade 1s, should be able to win one off a mark of 147.

Alexei: can he follow up his Greatwood Hurdle win?Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Tom Park Alexei would have to win as comfortably as he did at Cheltenham in order to be in the Champion Hurdle conversation. I'm not sure he'll win this, though, as I like the chances of Fiercely Proud. He won this last year when beating the then 131-rated Kabral Du Mathan by a short head. That one's rated 154 now and the pair had Be Aware 17 lengths behind in third. You'd have to think this is Fiercely Proud's big target this season and he ran the perfect prep race when fifth in the Greatwood last time.

Jack Ready Alexei has been impressive when scoring in big handicaps on his last two runs but I'll be shocked if we 're talking about him as a bona fide Champion Hurdle contender in the spring. Wilful looked in need of the reappearance run when finishing a place behind Alexei at Chepstow last time and, nudged up 1lb for that, he should go close here.

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Which chaser are you on in an open-looking Howden Silver Cup (3.00 Ascot)?

Daryl Jacob Johnnywho has a bit of class and, off 145, I think this race will set up well for him. This is his cup of tea: three miles, stiff track and good to soft or soft ground, and they’re going to go hard. He was only beaten a neck in the Kim Muir and I love his big-field handicap form, plus he'll strip fitter for running at Aintree.

Paul Jacobs I was gutted Ga Law was taken out of the December Gold Cup, having been on at 33-1, but it would take a huge effort for him to win here off top weight. I'm happy to let Blow Your Wad win at his current price and if the ground is genuinely good Leave Of Absence should outrun his odds. But my idea of the winner is Deep Cave, who was impressive at Bangor and is unexposed over fences.

Keith Melrose I said on Thursday's Racing Postcast that it was too hard to choose one in this race. I still largely stand by that, but the rain has narrowed the options a bit. Deep Cave is top of the list now. He won against the tide at Bangor last month and was on an upward curve anyway, having won a premier handicap hurdle at Aintree in April. 

Tom Park I'll stick with course form and opt for Victtorino, who's going for a hat-trick in the race. He ran poorly in the Coral Gold Cup last time but Venetia Williams' horses weren't running well at the time. They seem to be going much better now and Victtorino runs off the same mark as when winning over course and distance in February.

Victtorino goes for a third consecutive win in the Howden Silver CupCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Jack Ready This looks the most open race on the Ascot card and a tentative vote goes to Blow Your Wad. Ascot suits his running style well and he was far from disgraced when third over this course and distance last month. His mark is unchanged for this second start since wind surgery and a bold bid could be in the offing.

Give us another horse to look out for on ITV4

Daryl Jacob Tom Symonds and Lady Gibbings deserve a lot of credit for being so patient with Issam (1.50 Ascot). I thought he'd be outspeeded at Wetherby, so that was a good win, and his second at Sandown is good form as well. He mustn’t get to the front too soon but Callum Pritchard gets on really well with him and he’s a very good jockey.

Paul Jacobs I've backed two against the field ante-post in the Tommy Whittle (2.05 Haydock) at double-figure prices. My Silver Lining was second in the 2024 Midlands National off 131 and is now 11lb lower. Irish raider Brucejack is worth a saver as he'll be galloping on when most have run out of steam.

Keith Melrose When Grand Geste finished a nose second to Alcedo last time, it was clear he was on his way to good staying handicaps. I didn't expect it to take as little as three weeks, but he's been pushed into the Tommy Whittle (2.05) at Haydock and he has a favourite's chance. Both his chase runs appeal as strong form and he's better than a mark of 119.

Grand Geste (near side) finishes a nose second to Alcedo at Newcastle last timeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Tom Park Bad (1.50 Ascot) ran really well when fifth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup considering he has a much better record going right-handed. The form of that race is working out really well too, with Panic Attack winning the Coral Gold Cup and Vincenzo finishing second in the December Gold Cup. He might still have a couple of pounds in hand of the handicapper now he goes back right-handed. 

Jack Ready My Noble Lord (1.30 Haydock) has an interesting profile. He was a solid second on his chasing debut at Wetherby last month and, with further improvement likely, he should go well off a 1lb higher mark.

Who else should we be backing on Saturday?

Daryl Jacob Gavin Sheehan is a brilliant judge of pace from the front and, although Super Survivor (3.15 Haydock) has 12st 1lb, I think there’s a little bit of scope for him to do a bit of damage off his hurdling mark. I can see Gavin getting an easy lead and he’s so sharp from the front.

Paul Jacobs Following a slow start in a Kempton nursery, Tinsel (5.15 Wolverhampton) was a huge eyecatcher in the closing stages when a never-nearer sixth, especially after some hot fractions early on. He was further disadvantaged by some slow splits in the middle part of the race. The extra yardage is a plus.

Keith Melrose The Hereford card is always targeted by Venetia Williams, especially the mares' handicap chase (2.13). I backed Lagonda in that race last year and will do so again. She ran a belter in second 12 months ago and looks to have been laid out for it again. Give Nambiti a look in the 11.58 too. He's been off for 641 days, but he was interesting before then and any market positivity would be notable.

Tom Park Buzz Iceclear (1.15 Ascot) won at Wetherby last time like a horse who has bundles in hand of the handicapper. He's up 10lb for this more competitive race but that extra weight certainly wouldn't have stopped him last time.

Jack Ready Koala Rose (4.40 Wolverhampton) is a fascinating newcomer for Ralph Beckett. The daughter of Australia looks the part on paper and her yard has a 21 per cent strike-rate with two-year-olds this year.

Finally, give us a Christmas present - the winner of the King George VI Chase

Daryl Jacob I’m very worried about The Jukebox Man hanging left and jumping left, and will Gaelic Warrior handle the big crowd? I’m a big fan of Jango Baie, who has got that two-mile pace. But I can’t tell you what a big step up it is from novice to open company and at this frenetic pace he could be out of his comfort zone for the first half of the race. Fact To File has been there and done it, he has a good temperament and he travels and jumps. 

Paul Jacobs On his 2024 Savills Chase run Heart Wood is no 66-1 shot but he's likely to go for the Leopardstown race instead and so is Fastorslow, also too big at 40-1. In their absence new kid on the block Jango Baie will relish this step up in trip on good ground. I think he should be favourite after thrashing his rivals at Ascot.

Jango Baie jumps the last to win the 1965 Chase at Ascot last monthCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Keith Melrose I hope it isn't as predictable as I see it. Gaelic Warrior stands out a bit to me. I don't think Fact To File wants 3m even at Kempton. There's plenty of promise among the British contingent and I'm especially excited to see The Jukebox Man take on top-class chasers. I'll probably have small bets on him and last year's winner Banbridge. 

Tom Park I think it's out of the Willie Mullins pair and I favour Fact To File. He made up a fair bit of ground to catch Gaelic Warrior last time before ultimately getting outstayed. I don't see Gaelic Warrior getting such an easy time of things here as there are plenty who want to be prominent, while the emphasis on speed at Kempton should really suit Fact To File. 

Jack Ready There seems to be an expectation that Fact To File will reverse the John Durkan form with Gaelic Warrior, but I'll be siding with the latter to win again. He impressed me with the way he battled all the way to the line after racing keenly throughout at Punchestown and I think he's going to grind out another top-flight success. 

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