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Fergal O’Brien’s Crambo will face nine rivals as he bids to get his career back on track in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday.
The F M O'Brien-trained seven-year-old narrowly got the better of fan favourites Paisley Park and Dashel Drasher in a pulsating finish to last year's contest but following two subsequent disappointments at Cheltenham and Aintree, the son of Saddler Maker arrives at the Berkshire venue on something of a revival mission.
However, regular rider Johnny Burke has been pleased with what he has seen at home from the seven-time winner, who missed his intended return to action at Newbury due to an unsatisfactory scope.
"I'm really looking forward to him," said Burke on Sky Sports Racing. "He's been training well and is fresh so we're very happy.
"He obviously showed a liking for Ascot (last year) and I'm really looking forward to getting him out.
"He used to be a horse you used to have to watch yourself schooling him as he could jam on, but this year he's much better, you can do whatever you want on him whereas before you used to always want a lead on him.
"At Ascot last year everything went smoothly, but at Cheltenham and Aintree I was never really happy on him, hopefully, all that is behind him now."
With Crambo a notable absentee, the Olly Murphy-trained Strong Leader seized the opportunity with both hands in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on his season reappearance, stamping his authority on the UK staying division in the process.
Strong Leader is a general 7/4 shot to follow up his Newbury success and claim a second Grade 1 victory after triumphing at Aintree last season, but he will have to deny fresh opposition in the shape of The Wallpark if he is to do so.
Gordon Elliott's winning machine recorded a fourth-straight victory in a Pertemps qualifier at Cheltenham in January and will now step up to Grade 1 level for the first time having subsequently been purchased by leading owner JP McManus.
Multiple Graded winner Hiddenvalley Lake will also make the journey across the Irish Sea alongside the progressive Shoot First and Eagle Fang, who helps make up a strong Irish challenge as they bid to land the Grade 1 prize for the very first time.
Blueking D'Oroux and Botox Has will be hoping they can better their midfield finishes from last season, while Dan Skelton relies on his talented mare Kateira, who arrives fresh off the back of a cosy success in the Listed Racing TV Mares' Hurdle at Kempton last month.
Berkshire National winner Beauport will revert to hurdling as he completes the field of ten.