Grade 1 action returns to Ascot as Long Walk Hurdle headlines a stellar Berkshire fixture

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Christmas cheer will be out in full force at Ascot on Saturday as the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle (2.25) takes centre stage on what promises to be another brilliant fixture.

Fergal O’Brien and Jonathan Burke have teamed up to win the £125,000 race for the last two years with Crambo, while fans' favourite Paisley Park won it three times between 2018 and 2022.

The eight-year-old Crambo is set to again line up in the Grade 1 and attempts to become the first horse since Reve De Sivola in 2014 to complete a hat-trick in the race.

The Long Walk Hurdle, which headlines Saturday’s action on ITV4, whets the appetite for two big handicaps on the card over hurdles and fences.

The Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase (3.00), worth £100,000, is again expected to be competitive. Venetia Williams is a trainer beginning to hit form, as she usually does at this time of the season, and her Victtorino is on course to attempt to become the first horse to win the race in three successive years.

Victtorino: back in action at Ascot on SaturdayCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

The seven-year-old, who was a well-beaten 16th in last month’s Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, is 9-2 favourite with William Hill and has won four of his five starts at Ascot.

Blow Your Wad, Pic Roc and last-time-out winner Marble Sands are all in contention to run at this stage.

The £125,000 Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle (3.35) is also shaping up to be a hot race, with the Joe Tizzard-trained Alexei bidding to build on his promising start to the season.

Alexei: blew his rivals away in the Greatwood Hurdle at CheltenhamCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

After finishing second at Chepstow on his seasonal return, the five-year-old has reeled off wins at Ascot and in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham, and he is again warm favourite to tick off the hat-trick.

Mondo Man was a good second at Lingfield in November and could be aimed at the race for Gary and Josh Moore, while Dan Skelton has five contenders entered at this stage, with Grade 1 runner-up Live Conti likely to play a big role if he takes his chance.

Skelton, who is sitting on 91 winners for the season and close to the £2 million mark in prize-money, could also run Faivoir, Knickerbockerglory, Great Fleet and Loriko.

Christmas meeting kicks off at Ascot

Ascot’s two-day Christmas meeting begins on Friday and the Grade 2 Howden Noel Novices' Chase (3.00) is the main event on the card.

Seven runners remain in the line-up at this stage, with last-time-out scorers Blueking D'Oroux, Steel Ally and Jax Junior all holding obvious claims.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Blueking D'Oroux justified favouritism to win the Grade 2 Rising Stars Novices' Chase at Wincanton, and will bid to follow up for a trainer who has won the race three times since 2015, including in these same colours with Pic D'Orhy in 2021.

Steel Ally made a winning start over fences at Carlisle for Sam Thomas last month, while Jax Junior inflicted a 12-length defeat on Jeriko Du Reponet when he was last seen.

Listed focus under the lights at Kempton

Kempton’s future remains up in the air, but action on the track returns on Wednesday and the Listed Unibet Wild Flower Stakes (6.40) headlines the fixture.

Won by superstar globetrotter Rebel’s Romance in 2023, the race has seven left in contention at this stage, including the William Haggas-trained Dubai Honour, who returned from his international travels to land the Listed Churchill Stakes at Southwell last month.

Three-time winner Shader, who finished second to Dubai Honour last time, could take his chance for John and Thady Gosden, while Ancient Wisdom is likely to be Charlie Appleby’s representative this year.

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