3 minute read

Plenty of British and Irish-trained staying hurdlers have made the trip over the channel in recent years in attempt to plunder the some of the valuable top-level prizes on offer in France.

In fact, five of the thirteen stayers entered for Ascot’s Long Walk Hurdle have been sent over to France from British bases at least once, and it is easy to see why when you consider that the 2015 Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil (also known as the French Champion Hurdle) won by Un Temps Pour Tout was worth the equivalent of just under £130,000 to the winner. Un Temps Pour Tout beat Willie Mullins’ Thousand Stars by more than ten lengths that year, but Mullins’ veteran still picked up over £63,000 for his effort, over £10,000 more than Thistlecrack won for his eight-length success in the most recent Long Walk Hurdle.

It is less common to see French stayers attempting to do the reverse in Britain/Ireland. The Pound is rallying against the Euro, however, and it looks likely that Alex de Larredya will be the first French runner in the Long Walk since Kasbah Bliss in 2007. Alex de Larredya, trained by Francois Nicolle in the colours of Simon Munir, won the Grand Prix d'Automne at Auteuil in November, beating Paul Nicholls’ Ptit Zig into third. Ptit Zig was conceding race fitness to the winner on that occasion, however, and had previously beaten him by two lengths in this year’s Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil. Ptit Zig is expected to confirm that form here, though the presence of a Grade 1-winning French raider adds plenty of spice to the race and, as only a six-year-old, Alex de Larredya could yet have more to offer.

Ptit Zig’s Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil win was a career-best for him over hurdles on Timeform ratings, and he essentially matched the best of his high-class chasing form. Similarly rated is Un Tempts Pour Tout, who has had just one start over timber since landing the 2015 version of the French Champion (possibly fortunate to win a four-runner minor event at Aintree when Zarkandar unseated late). Like Ptit Zig, there is not much to split his form over hurdles and fences, and he was an impressive winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival as a novice last season. His jumping didn’t really hold up in the Hennessy last time, but it would be no surprise to see him run well now back in this sphere.

Reve de Sivola also has a top-level French win to his name (the 2013 Grand Prix d’Automne Hurdle) but he has been more known for his success in the Long Walk, having won it three times and finished second in last year’s renewal behind Thistlecrack. He is now nearly 12, but did run right up to his best on his final start last season in the Rendlesham at Haydock, and connections have no doubt had this in mind as his main target once again (two below-par outings in November will likely put him spot on for this).

Reve de Sivola doesn’t have Thistlecrack to deal with in this year’s Long Walk, but will have to beat another highly progressive stayer if he is to land a fourth win in the race. Unowhatimeanharry was one of the most improved horses of last season, starting out from a handicap mark of 123 and winning the Albert Bartlett on his final start. He maintained his unbeaten record for Harry Fry (now in the colours of J.P. McManus) on his reappearance in the Long Distance Hurdle with another career-best effort, travelling powerfully into the race and beating Ballyoptic impressively by six lengths. There could be more to come yet, given his profile, and he is a worthy favourite for this race.

Also well worth a mention is Lil Rockerfeller, who ran his best race on ratings when pushing Yanworth close in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot last time. Lil Rockerfeller is a most likeable horse and may even have a bit more to offer back up to three miles (first try at the trip was on his reappearance). His price looks about right, however, as does Ballyoptic’s given he had few excuses in second behind Unowhatimeanharry at Newbury last time.

The one that looks overpriced is Un Temps Pour Tout. He was a little disappointing during his domestic hurdling campaign in 2014/15, but his win at Auteuil puts him bang in the mix here on form terms, and odds of around 14/1 are tempting given that Tom Scudamore is an early jockey booking. He may not have enough guns for an in-form Unowhatimeanharry, but he will be a strong place contender if taking his chance.

Recommendation:

Back Un Temps Pour Tout each-way at 14/1 for the Long Walk Hurdle