Long Walk Hurdle 2025 Preview: Can Crambo Make History at Ascot?
The road to the Cheltenham Festival runs through Ascot this Saturday, as the Howden Long Walk Hurdle takes centre stage.
Known as one of the toughest staying hurdles in the calendar, this Grade 1 contest tests stamina, grit, and the ability to handle Ascot’s winter ground.
This year’s renewal (Saturday 20th December) is set to be a cracker. We have a defending champion looking for a hat-trick, a Stayers’ Hurdle winner crossing the Irish Sea, and a pack of hungry challengers ready to pounce.
Here is our Long Walk Hurdle 2025 runner-by-runner guide and betting verdict.
The Big Three Contenders
1. Crambo (The Defending Champ)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien
The Case For: He is the “King of Ascot.” Crambo has won this race for the last two years running (2023 & 2024), proving he loves the track and trip. A win here would make him a legend of the race alongside Big Buck’s. He idles in front, meaning he always saves a bit for the finish line.
The Case Against: He carries a target on his back, and this year the opposition is stiffer than ever.
2. Teahupoo (The Irish Raider)
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
The Case For: The undisputed staying champion. After dominating the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, he is officially the best horse in the division. He goes well fresh and has the class to blow this field apart if he is fit.
The Case Against: It is his seasonal debut. Gordon Elliott often leaves a bit to work on for March, so he might be vulnerable to a race-fit rival.
3. Strong Leader (The Value Play)
Trainer: Olly Murphy
The Case For: He was an impressive winner of the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree in the spring. He travels strongly and has improved significantly over 3 miles. If the ground isn’t too heavy, his speed could be the deciding factor.
Long Walk Hurdle Trends: What to Look For
History tells us a lot about who wins this race.
Age: Focus on horses aged 6 to 8. Older horses (9+) often struggle to keep up with the pace in the final mile.
Distance Form: 10 of the last 10 winners had previously run over a trip of about 3 miles. This is not a race for stepping up in trip for the first time.
The “French” Connection: French-bred horses have a phenomenal record in this race (think Big Buck’s, Reve De Sivola, Paisley Park).
Our Verdict
This is a battle between the “Course Specialist” and the “Division Leader.”
While Teahupoo is the better horse on ratings, CRAMBO is hard to oppose at Ascot. He comes alive at this track, and with the benefit of a recent run to sharpen him up, he looks the safest bet to land the hat-trick.
Win Tip: Crambo
Each Way: Strong Leader
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