Long Walk Hurdle 2011

2.30 Ascot

Lough Derg Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £42,202

Advice: 1 pt e/w Sparky May w/o Big Bucks (11/2 Totesport)

Big Buck’s: Unbeaten on all 11 starts since switching back to hurdles, having won this race twice and taken just about every single major staying hurdle inbetween; Made easy work of beating inferior rivals in the Long Walk Hurdle but absolutely superb when beating Grands Crus at Cheltenham and Liverpool, winning well both times; Easy reappearance win last month; Shouldn’t be beaten.

Cross Kennon: Fourth in World Hurdle at peak of hurdling powers, and now back over smaller obstacles after chasing didn’t work out well for him; Could grab second if running to best and does revel in soft conditions, while he has gotten closest to Big Bucks out of these.

Dynaste: Made good progress throughought last season, winning competitive race at Taunton before disappointing slightly at Sandown; Dramatically improved when routing rivals in strongly contested Haydock handicap hurdle off 141; Could improve again like stablemate Grands Crus (also a wide margin winner of the same race) and become a potential challenge to Big Bucks, and fascinating to see him again.

Five Dream: Ran carrer best races in successions when second behind Big Buck’s at Newbury last time and aiming to do same again; Can’t discount him from doing that again.

Pettifour: Formerly useful hurdler (once rated 155, Grade 1 winner and then second in Grade 1 hurdle at Punchestown) who made excellent return from year off with injury to when second, beaten just a head, in Cheltenham handicap hurdle; Behind Big Buck’s and Five Dream when third at Newbury last month.

Restless Harry: Last win over hurdles was a wide margin rout of Wetherby Grade 2 field, after which he’s proven a little disappointing over fences (poor jumping despite meeting decent rivals); Interesting back here.

Sparky May: Took off over hurdles last season, winning at this meeting by 27 lengths before impressive Grade 2 win at Ascot; Lost no caste in defeat (very keen both times) against Quevega and when beaten in Grade 1 Novice Hurdle as favourite at Aintree; Bitterly disappointing return at Newbury where she pulled hard once again, and should be capable of better although it’s becoming a worry that her pulling will restrict her progress.

VERDICT: There should be nothing to stop BIG BUCK’S winning once again, although the race for second is a fascinating one. Dynaste has earned himself this crack at Graded hurdling thanks to his hugely impressive win at Haydock, and is booked for the runner up spot according to Totesport, who have him as evens favourite in a market without the favourite. An interesting option for that is to give Sparky May one more chance, as she’s 8lbs better off with Pettifour and Five Dream, although she must learn to settle if she’s to progress.