Ascot Saturday

Howden Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1)

THE Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle saw Nicky Henderson’s Impose Toi (Nico de Boinville) confirm recent Newbury form with Strong Leader (Olly Murphy/Sean Bowen) to put himself at the forefront of the Stayers’ Hurdle market.

The 3/1 shot was held up as Strong Leader - in a change of tactics - made the running with Beauport, and the solid pace ensured that the race produced a true result.

Strong Leader travelled well and had most of the field beaten off by the home turn, but both of the J.P. McManus-owned runners travelled up well on the leader’s heels, and it was Impose Toi who delivered the decisive blow as he landed in front at the final hurdle.

He then battled well for a length-and-a-quarter win over Strong Leader with Honesty Policy (Gordon Elliott/Mark Walsh) staying on again for third, just a neck behind the runner-up, and with the first three pulling clear of the rest.

Eye-catching

The first three all shaped well, with Honesty Policy particularly eye-catching having looked to blow up before staying on best of all from the back of the last.

Paddy Power, sponsors of the Stayers’ Hurdle, put both Impose Toi and Honesty Policy to 8/1 for that race, while Olly Murphy confirmed that Strong Leader would miss Cheltenham in favour of Aintree.

Winning trainer Nicky Henderson said: “He had a dream run around. He jumped and travelled. He was always going best really. From my point of view, it was quite pleasurable to watch.

“When you see him going that well turning into the straight, you knew Nico had got them covered.

“Then you have got to execute, but he was pretty flawless you have got to say. If a horse finishes behind him at home you want to start worrying as he does nothing.

“He doesn’t do a lot in front, but Nico knows that, and he had to time it right. He has put himself right in the picture [for the Stayers’ Hurdle] there and I think we know what we have to do next.

“He has just grown up a lot and kept on improving. You would despair of him some mornings, but now we have learnt how good he is on the racecourse, he can do what he likes in the mornings. You have just got to keep his mind on it.

“We were 6lb different to Newbury (with Strong Leader), so he had to improve. I feel sorry for Strong Leader, who is an admirable horse, but we have nailed him twice, and today 6lb worse off and, if anything, I think we looked more convincing today.”

Williams in dreamland

The Howden Silver Cup, or the SGB for those who still remember Arkle, produced a thrilling finish in which 10/1 chance Deep Cave (Christian Williams/Jack Tudor) got a run up the inside rail from the last to nail the brave Leave Of Absence (Anthony Honeyball/Rex Dingle) on the line.

Henry’s Friend cut out the early running and, while favourite Pic Roc was let down by his jumping, Deep Cave did everything Tudor asked, and threw in an extravagant leap at the last to ensure he had the advantage of the rail from there to the line.

That proved decisive, with Leave Of Absence trying valiantly to hang on but collared in the dying strides and beaten a head, with Johnnywho (Jonjo and A.J. O’Neill/Jonjo Jr) staying on strongly to be third, a neck behind the runner-up.

Deep Cave is owned by Sue Howell, who also had Scottish Grand National winner Win My Wings with Williams and has been a long-term supporter of racing in Wales and the Midlands.

This was the gelding’s second win in two chase starts and was a winner over hurdles at the Grand National meeting in the spring.

Grand National

As such, it’s hardly surprising that connections are dreaming of the Grand National itself, and his trainer laid out his long-term plans for the son of Court Cave.

“He was probably the least experienced in the race, so we just took our time and if it didn’t happen today there was still going to be plenty of other days for him.

“This was the big hope this season and we keep praying horses like this turn up.

“Before Aintree, he came to us from France and he didn’t have much of a break. He had a tough time in France as he had two neck-breaking falls around Auteuil over the easier fences.

“He just probably lacked a bit of experience early in the race, but he got a great ride. Jack took his time and produced him at the right time.

“We thought it was a little bit of a rush for the Becher Chase, so we thought this was the obvious race.

“We are just trying to work back from the Grand National really.”

Christmas bonus time for the O’Neills

THE Ascot Rotary Club Festive Handicap Hurdle was very competitive on paper, but helped to serve notice of a return to form for the Jackdaws Castle stable of Jonjo and A.J. O’Neill, as Wilful, ridden by Jonjo Jr, overturned Welsh Champion Hurdle form with Alexei (Joe Tizzard/Brendan Powell) to score at 15/2, with outsider Hot Fuss (Tom Dascombe/David Bass) splitting the pair at the finish. The distances at the line were two and three-quarter lengths and a length and a quarter.

The winner made all the running in a race where the principals were well placed throughout and looks like he might be able to fulfil the great promise he’s shown in the past now he’s learning to settle better.

The stable had been under a cloud, forcing Jonjo Sr to shut down for a while, but with Johnnywho also running really well on the card, the yard appears to be turning a significant corner. Iroko also shortened to single-figure odds for the Grand National after a professional performance in the opening three-runner graduation chase.

Jonjo O’Neill said: “It is nice to see them come out of it (the shutdown) well. It is great for the staff and everyone involved as everyone gets a bit down when things are down, but that is only natural and human.

“It was a good run at Chepstow and he has come forward from there. He is going in the right direction. We did look at the Greatwood, but they weren’t firing at the time. We are very lucky that we have good owners that waited and gave him time.

“Patience is the name of the game. We will go back to the drawing board and have a look in the morning and make a plan.”

Haydock

The featured Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase over three miles, and a furlong and a half went in impressive style to the in-form Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith stable with the grey Grand Geste (15/8 favourite) racing away from My Silver Lining to win by six and a half lengths for Danny McMenamin.

“He’s going to keep improving. How good he is, I don’t know,” said Parkinson. “He’ll handle the ground softer and is the type for the Peter Marsh.”