THE way some of the naps have been running this week I have been hearing a lot about long walks (and short piers), so it must be fate that today Ascot hosts the Long Walk Hurdle - a chance of redemption for a tipster if ever there was one.
The race used to be dominated by the grand old stayer Baracouda, who was victorious four out five times between 2000 and 2004, before My Way De Solzen inherited the crown at stand-in home Chepstow last year.
The race is back in its rightful home
this year and leading the market at a shade of odds-on is Mighty Man. There is every reason to believe that, on this occasion, the bookmakers are quite justified in feeling their riches are threatened as Henry Daly's lightly-raced runner looks a worthy favourite.
The six-year-old has finished in the frame in ten of his 11 starts, and made a pleasing return to action after a seven-month break behind the classy Hardy Eustace at this track last month.
That should put him spot-on for the Grade 1 event, and although Paul Nicholls' Neptune Collonges is expected to prove a tough opponent, the skinny odds on Mighty Man should still be worth taking.
Tony McCoy takes on Mighty Man with Jonjo O'Neill's Fire Dragon, who beat the favourite in the Cleeve Hurdle at Sandown last season. But the champion pointed out: "I think we got the run of the race that day and Mighty Man was unlucky. My lad is consistent, but even though Mighty Man is a short price I wouldn't mind riding him!"
McCoy should be able to enjoy a big- race success of his own at Ascot as another favourite, Tarlac, is fancied to come out on top in the £150,000 Ladbroke Hurdle. Nicky Henderson's mount has enormous potential, looks to be one step ahead of the handicapper, and proved his liking for Ascot with a win in similar conditions last month. Again, 4-1 may be a touch short for a hot handicap of this nature, but it could shape into a good day for favourite backers.
One of the ten horses declared for the Long Walk, Jazz d'Estruval, is a doubtful runner as his first preference is the race he won handsomely at Haydock last season, the Totescoop6 Handicap Hurdle. He also happens to be our first preference of the day, and is saddled with the nap - news that might force Nicky Richards to quickly dispatch him to the Ascot engagement after all. Also declared in the Haydock race is Rhinestone Cowboy, who if he makes it to the starting line will be having his first race for 961 days. The former top-class staying hurdler has it all to do off top-weight, and is best watched, but hopefully he can salvage his career with a clear round and an encouraging run.
At Ascot yesterday, Briareus created some minor ripples in the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy betting after staying on strongly to land the Grade 2 Scanmoor Noel Novices' Chase. Last season's Champion Hurdle sixth was having just his second start over fences and got off the mark with a three-length defeat of Knight Legend.
Mark Bradburne employed positive tactics on the 7-2 shot and his front-running ride saw him turn for home with an advantage that never looked like being eroded. The runner-up only held Royal Shakespeare by a short head, with 8-13 favourite Natal proving a disappointment in fourth of five runners.
Coral and William Hill cut the winner to 16-1 for the Cheltenham race.
Barbers Shop carried the Queen's colours to victory and gave her a first win at the newly-developed track when plundering the opening Bridgewell "National Hunt" Maiden Hurdle.
