Ascot preview: Long Walk Hurdle (14.25)

David Metcalf | December 18, 2015

Thistlecrack scored in scintillating fashion on his seasonal reappearance, and can continue on his upward curve by landing a cracking renewal of the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot (14.25).

The Colin Tizzard trained gelding showed progressive form last season, and relished the step up to 3m when running out the wide margin winner of the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.

Thistlecrack backed that up with a cracking 1/2 a length second to Killultagh Vic in a Grade 1 contest at the Punchestown Festival on his final start of the campaign, and judged on performances looked staying hurdler going places.

That view was confirmed when the seven-year-old destroyed a good field on return to action in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last month.

Thistlecrack to follow up?

After travelling strongly throughout in the hands of jockey Tom Scudamore, Thistlecrack cruised into contention two from home before taking up the running at the last and staying on strongly to beat Deputy Dan by six lengths.

Reigning World Hurdle champion Cole Harden finished a further 1/2 length back in third, and Thistlecrack was value for much more than the winning margin.

There was absolutely no fluke about the victory, and Thistlecrack is currently Coral’s 7/1 favourite for the 2016 World Hurdle on the back of it.