THE familiar green, white and gold colours of J.P. McManus featured prominently in Ascot’s Grade 1 Howden Long Walk Hurdle on Saturday, as they were sported by the favourite, Honesty Policy who was a creditable third, and by the Nicky Henderson-trained winner Impose Toi. The latter is enjoying a flawless season, and this was his third success after wins at Aintree and Newbury.

The seven-year-old French-bred son of It’s Gino (Perugino) has now beaten Strong Leader on his two most recent runs, and can lay claim to be the interim leader of the staying hurdle division.