Ginger Joe - Preview and Betting Tip for the 2023 Long Walk Hurdle

Paisley Park to make it four in the Long Walk?

The highlight on Saturday is undeniably the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot and the 2023 renewal looks awesome.

Last year’s winner, Paisley Park, is back to try for his fourth Long Walk victory and he was desperately unlucky not to win the long-distance Hurdle at Newbury last time out, going down by just a head to Dashel Drasher. We also have an old favourite of mine in the lineup and he definitely sets a good standard for the youngsters to chase this season.

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14:25 Ascot – The Howden Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1) – 3m 1f - Champ

The Long Walk Hurdle is going to be a cracker and it really is a tough race to weigh up. We have Paisley Park aged 11 trying to win his fourth Long Walk, Champ aged 11 trying to win his second, and Dashel Drasher aged 10 has recently won the Long Distance hurdle holding off Paisley Park to the very last stride.

These are three very very good Stayers on their day and they set a very good standard in this race on their best form. This is where the difficulty lies for the youngsters because if one of these three runs at their best then they are going to be very tough to beat.

Looking at the younger horses here you have the likes of Crambo for the Fergal O’Brien team, who a lot of punters are raving about and I can see why. He has the running style of a Stayer and he was unlucky not to get closer last time out in the Betfair Handicap, but for me, he still needs to improve a good 8-10lbs to win here. He may well be a good horse to go forward with, but do not underestimate the task at hand here.

West Balboa is the current favourite for the Skelton team but I don’t trust this mare, despite her having a decent looking record on paper. Her price is wrong at 5/2 and I may even lay her on the day.

Botox Has had both Dashel Drasher and Red Risk in behind at Wetherby and he is one that has seemingly improved this year. I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see him come on again for it  and I’d trust him much more than I would the favourite.

The only other one to mention really is the four-year-old Paul Nicholls runner, Blueking O’Roux who has a massive task here as a youngster, but he is the choice of Harry Cobden so that would give him some hope of making the frame.

I can honestly see there being five or six still in strong contention coming towards the final hurdle and it really could be a case of who can hold on until the line, but I think one of the old boys is going to win this.

My selection…

I almost feel mad putting him up, but I’m siding with Champ. We usually hear a bit of talk about the difficulty prepping Champ, finding him the right race and so on. But this year we haven’t heard a peep, which may well suggest he is better than ever. His record when fresh reads 11111 and there is no doubt in my mind that Dashel Drasher, Paisley Park and Crambo will all be there with him, but I think he'll be the one to get his nose in front.  This could be his final hurrah and I'm going to take my chance on him.

My NAP bet for Saturday in the Long Walk

14:25 Ascot – Champ

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