The Wallpark bids to continue Irish jumps domination in the Long Walk | Horse racing

Only 4 of Britain’s 38 Grade One occasions over jumps have but to be gained by a horse educated in Eire, and the checklist might be down to a few after the Lengthy Stroll Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday, when 4 of the 10-strong subject, together with Gordon Elliott’s progressive six-year-old, The Wallpark (2.25), can be working for Irish stables.

The Wallpark has had an unconventional preparation for Saturday’s race with one race a month from Might to October, when he was a formidable winner beneath 11st 7lb in a handicap at Cheltenham’s first assembly of the winter marketing campaign.

That was The Wallpark’s first run over three miles and marked a career-best with the clear risk of higher nonetheless to return, not least because the quirks he confirmed earlier in his profession for Elliott now appear to be on the wane.

Sturdy Chief, the winner of Newbury’s Lengthy Distance Hurdle in November, is the top-rated runner within the subject and is the apparent chief of the house staff, whereas Crambo, final 12 months’s winner, can also be within the subject, although he has not been out since ending down the sector behind Sturdy Chief within the Grade One Liverpool Hurdle in April.

On the doubtless costs, nevertheless, The Wallpark is value an curiosity at round 4-1 to proceed his enchancment and lengthen his successful streak to 5 races.

Ascot 1.50 An unusually robust four-runner commencement chase, with solely 3lb separating the sector on Timeform rankings, with Jungle Boogie maybe the worth wager at round 7-2. Henry de Bromhead’s 10-year-old is the veteran of the sector however stays flippantly raced with solely six profession begins and he travelled effectively till a mistake three out in final season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Haydock 2.05 East Avenue typically appeared reluctant to profit from his expertise earlier in his profession however he has been revitalised by a visor and the swap to James Owen’s secure. Callum Pritchard’s 7lb declare is a bonus too, because the eight-year-old appears to be like to shrug off a 9lb rise within the weights since his newest win over fences earlier this month.

Haydock 2.40 Not essentially the most interesting betting medium on the televised card by any stretch and the seven-year-old Coventry is likely one of the extra uncovered runners within the subject, however he did a minimum of present a glimpse of type at Carlisle in October, on his second begin after an 11-month break and swap of secure to Lisa Harrison’s yard. The drop again from three miles to 2 appeared to rekindle some curiosity and he’s off the identical mark right here.

Ascot 3.00 Joe Tizzard’s The Altering Man remains to be a maiden over fences after seven makes an attempt however he has been unlucky to run into some helpful and well-handicapped opponents on a number of latest begins. That was actually the case within the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle final time, when he was a detailed second behind Frero Banbou with an additional 16 lengths again to the third horse house, and he can run off the identical mark right here.

Ascot 3.35 One of many richest two-mile handicap hurdles of the season and a extremely aggressive subject to match, with each seasoned campaigners and progressive youthful horses to contemplate. Kabral Du Mathan stays unbeaten after three begins and loads of punters will look no additional, however he has but to expertise the hustle and bustle of a race of this kind and Be Conscious makes extra enchantment on the doubtless costs. He was a detailed second within the Greatwood on his return to motion at Cheltenham final month and Dan Skelton’s report with two-mile handicappers is second to none.