See Andy Newton’s Long Distance Hurdle tip as a small but select field do battle for Friday’s Newbury Grade Two – a race that’s often a good guide ahead of the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Last year’s winner Strong Leader heads seven runners as he bids to become the first ‘back-to-back’ winner since Big Buck’s, who won the prize four times between 2009 and 2012.
But Sportscasting’s Andy Newton is taking on the 2024 winner.
Long Distance Hurdle Tips: Toi Can ‘Impose’ Himself On Staying Division
Trainer Nicky Henderson has won the Long Distance Hurdle four times – the first coming back in 1995 with Conquering Leader.
With his most recent success in 2022, after the JP McManus-owned Champ powered home aged 10.
This year Hendo be trying to add to that record with his Cheltenham Festival winner Doddiethegreat and recent Aintree winner IMPOSE TOI.
And it’s the last-named that interests me the most.
He was backed off the boards to win as he liked at the start of the month – a victory that also saw his odds for the Stayers’ Hurdle slashed to 16/1.
While he’s also the same price (16/1) for the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at the 2026 Festival.
But this is a step up from handicap company (raised 5lbs) into graded class so more is needed for Friday’s ITV Racing contest.
Nicky Henderson Not Sure He’s A Graded Horse – But In A Weak Division Looks Worth Chancing
After that last win his trainer Nicky Henderson has said “I’d be surprised if he’s a Graded horse but we’ll have to see.”
However, for me, it was still a very taking effort – travelling supremely well.
It was also his first over 3m, so there is a chance this longer distance will eke out more improvement.
He’s also still only seven years-old and won over hurdles at this Newbury meeting last year, so we know the track suits.
Impose Toi has only 3lbs to find with Strong Leader on the official ratings too – but gets 6lbs off last year’s winner.
Owner JP McManus has also won this race with Unowhatimeanharry and Baracouda (twice each)
So I’ll take Toi to ‘Impose’ himself on the staying hurdle division and give JP more success in this Grade Two hurdle.
Andy Newton’s 1-2-3 Long Distance Hurdle Tips
🥇IMPOSE TOI
🥈STRONG LEADER
🥉HEWICK
Strong Leader Has To Give 6lbs Away To Most Of The Others
Twelve months ago, the Olly Murphy-trained Strong Leader lived up to his name to land the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.
And will be a popular pick to repeat the feat in 2025.
Strong Leader is still only eight years-old and will be trying to give the Murphy yard their third in this Grade Two since 2021.
With Thomas Darby their other winner.
Both previous Murphy wins were also ridden by champion jockey Sean Bowen, who will be in the saddle again.
He’ll, however, have to carry a Grade Two penalty for winning the bet365 Hurdle at Wetherby at the start of the month (watch below).
But is still heading into Friday’s race as the top-rated (156) and you’d expect him to have improved for that last run too.
Strong Leader landed last year’s race by an easy three lengths and despite Friday’s renewal looking stronger.
A win here will also boost the Olly Murphy season prize pot by £43k, as he sits second in the 2025-26 British Jump Trainers’ Championship behind Dan Skelton.
While he’d also be the first ‘back-to-back’ Long Distance Hurdle winner since Big Buck’s. Who won the prize four times on the bounce between 2009 and 2012.
But I just feel that having to give 6lbs away to most of the others won’t be easy.
He’s taken to run well, but take a place rather than gold again.
2023 King George VI Chase Winner Hewick A Long Distance Hurdle Runner
The Long Distance Hurdle runners will also see the 2023 King George VI Chase hero Hewick back over hurdles.
This John Joseph Hanlon-trained ten year-old has been switching his racing between hurdles and fences, after last seen running down the field in the Charlie Hall Chase.
But prior to that run was a nice winner over hurdles at Thurles in the middle of October under Paddy Hanlon. Who rides again and is two-from-two when riding him.
Hewick will be trying to become the first Irish-trained Long Distance Hurdle winner since Mouse Morris won with What A Question in 1996.
This will be his first run at Newbury. But is only rated one pound below Strong Leader and gets a handy 6lbs too.
Connections will , however, be hoping the ground doesn’t get too soft. With his best form on slightly quicker surfaces.
"He has a 100% strike rate on him!"
Hewick is set to head to Newbury and Paddy is to be onboard in the Long Distance Hurdle on Friday
Full story: https://t.co/9kVK78mSkZ
#TeamHewick I @BOYLESports pic.twitter.com/aedkTM6OqP
— Shark Hanlon Racing (@jhanlonracing) November 24, 2025
Long Distance Hurdle Betting Odds and Runners
- STRONG LEADER 2/1
- IMPOSE TOI 5/2
- TAKE NO CHANCES 5/1
- DODDIETHEGREAT 6/1
- HEWICK 6/1
- AHOY SENOR 20/1
- BOTOX HAS 33/1
Note: Long Distance Hurdle betting odds are subject to change
Long Distance Hurdle Race Details 2025
📅Date: Friday 28th November 2025
⌚Time: 3:00pm
🏇Racecourse: Newbury
🔄Trip: 3m 1/2f
💷Winning Purse: £43,298
📺 TV: ITV4 / Racing TV
Who Was The Last Long Distance Hurdle Winner To Follow-up In The Stayers’ Hurdle?
The Long Distance Hurdle is also considered a guide or trial towards the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
But when was the last time the Newbury winner followed-up in the big Prestbury Park race?
You have to go back to the 2015-16 season when the Colin Tizzard-trained Thistlecrack landed both races.
He was ridden in each race by the now retired Tom Scudamore.
