Back Impose Toi To Give Henderson Third Long Walk Hurdle Win

The Long Walk Hurdle 2025 is the standout contest this weekend at Ascot – the last big race day before Boxing Day for horse racing lovers – and this year’s renewal looks a competitive affair that includes some big names. 

One of the intended Long Walk Hurdle runners will be Crambo, who has won the last two runnings – but hasn’t won a race since his 2024 victory.

Plus, last year’s disappointing favourite Strong Leader is back for the ITV Racing contest, which will be shown at 2:25pm on Saturday.

And we’ll also see this season’s Long Distance Hurdle winner Impose Toi – who will be looking to give trainer Nicky Henderson a third Long Walk Hurdle.

As well as the exciting Honesty Policy coming over from the in-form Gordon Elliott yard in Ireland.

It’s all set up to be a ‘Christmas Cracker’ of a renewal.

Long Walk Hurdle Runners 2025: JP McManus Dominating Ascot Entries 

This year’s 2025 Long Walk Hurdle runners are set to be dominated by owner JP McManus, with both his Honesty Policy and Impose Toi possible entries.

HONESTY POLICY will represent the in-form Gordon Elliot yard, who had The Wallpark run fourth in this last year in these famous green and gold silks.

Elliott has never won the race and, in fact he’ll be looking to give the Irish their first win in the race since I can remember.

I’ve been back over 25 years and can’t find an Irish-trained winner, but they did come very close last year when Hiddenvalley Lake was a head second for trainer Henry De Bromhead.

McManus could also have his recent Long Distance Hurdle winner IMPOSE TOI in the race.

This seven year-old is starting to make a name for himself in this open stayers’ hurdle division – after a nice win at Newbury last time out.

He’s around 12/1 for the big race at the Cheltenham Festival in March, with only Ballyburn and Teahupoo ahead of him in the market.

Impose Toi is now two-from-two since being upped to 3m 1/2f and this strong-travelling horse looks the sort to have more to come around this distance.

The last horses to win the Long Distance and Long Walk Hurdle in the same season were Unowhatimeanharry in 2016. Then Thistlecrack in 2015 and Big Buck’s in 2011.

While JP has a top record in the Long Walk Hurdle – winning it six times.

With his most recent Champ in 2021, then Unknowhatimeanharry in 2016 and Barracouda (4 wins between 2000 and 2004).

Long Walk Hurdle Runners and Betting Odds 2025

Note: Long Walk betting odds are subject to change (final runners declared on 18th Dec)

Long Walk Hurdle Trends: Last Winning Favourite In 2019

We’ve seen 10 winning Long Walk Hurdle favourites in the last 23 runnings – meaning a decent 43% SR.

However, it’s worth pointing out the last winning jolly was The Worlds End in 2019, so the race is on a run of five years without one.

Last year’s favourite Strong Leader (11/8) ran a poor 10th, but is back to try and make amends in 2025.

While the other key Long Walk Hurdle stats to take into the race are that 96% of the last 23 winners had raced in the last seven weeks.

Plus, all of the last 20 winners were UK-trained.

Two-Time Hero Crambo Looking To Join Big Name Treble Winners

CRAMBO provided trainer Fergal O’Brien with one of his biggest career wins in the Long Walk Hurdle in 2023 – pulling clear with multiple winner Paisley Park to win by a short-head.

And trumped that again last year – when successfully defending his crown to win the race for a second time.

He became the first repeat winner since Reve De Sivola, who won three on the bounce between 2012 and 2014.

But with now two wins to his name in the race, will be looking to join other Long Walk Hurdle greats Big Buck’s (three wins) and Baracouda (four wins), who won the race seven times between them.

However, if Crambo is to win again he’ll need to bounce back as he’s not won a race since taking this last year (four runs).

And was last seen being well beaten (48 lengths) in the Ascot Hurdle in November.

WATCH: Crambo Winning The 2024 Long Walk Hurdle

The Long Walk Hurdle Trends Also Suggest Looking For A Top Three Finish Last Time Out

Another of the big Long Walk Hurdle trends to note is a ‘top three’ run last time out.

This is because 83% of the last 23 winners ticked this Ascot stat.

But last year’s winner Crambo defied this stat – having come here unplaced in his last race.

Something he’ll also be doing again – can lightning strike twice (or three times)?

Who Was The Last Long Walk Hurdle Winner To Win The Stayers’ Hurdle?

The Long Walk Hurdle has also been a great guide towards the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival – one of the day three features.

But who was the last horse to win both races in the same season?

Step forward PAISLEY PARK, who took both prizes in the 2018/19 season.

Before that Thistlecrack won both in 2015/16 and then, of course, Big Buck’s used the Long Walk as his prep for three of his four Stayers’ Hurdle wins between 2009 and 2012.

Nicky Henderson Hoping For Third Long Walk Hurdle Win

The winning-most Long Walk Hurdle trainer is Francois Doumen with four wins – all Baracouda.

And Paul Nicholls is hot on his heels with three wins (all Big Buck’s) – but the Ditcheat handler doesn’t have a runner in the race this year.

Nicky Henderson, however, does have an entry though – as he runs the already mentioned IMPOSE TOI. 

The Seven Barrows yard have won the race twice in the past – with their first coming in 2008 with Punchestowns.

With their most recent Champ in 2021, who was also winning the famous JP McManus silks.

A win here for Henderson will see him climb up the British Jumps Trainers’ Championship table – where he’s currently eighth.

Long Walk Hurdle Betting Tips: Impose Toi To Give Henderson a Third Long Walk

With some familiar faces lining up, there will be many fancies.

Last year’s favourite Strong Leader ran too bad to be true last year and is certainly a player as the top-rated (156).

But he’s had two tough races already this season and for me and that might just catch up with him.

Plus being 0-2 at Ascot has a bit to prove here. I just prefer him at Aintree.

The five year-old Honesty Policy for Gordon Elliott could be the improver in the race – but 20 of the last 23 winners were aged six+.

And 18/23 has won four+ times over hurdles (he’s won three) and also 21/23 ran in the last seven weeks. He’s not been out for 234 days.

He’s also rated 148 and even though he’s young and should have a lot more to come, is still rated 8lbs below Strong Leader.

Crambo is a horse we can’t rule out – being a two-time winner.

But we are really just banking on him being sparked back to life here at Ascot in a race we know would have been his big season target.

Hard To Oppose Impose 

However, IMPOSE TOI is the call, who is the likely main British challenger in the Stayers’ Hurdle division.

It’s been a top move by connections to step him up in trip to (3m 1/2f) as he’s now two-from-two over this distance.

Yes, he’s not the easiest of rides and seems to save a bit for himself.

But he also showed guts to hold off Strong Leader the last day in the Long Distance Hurdle (watch below).

Therefore, he’s the one that looks to have more in the locker over this trip and at around 3/1 looks fair value.

The last horse to win the Long Distance, Long Walk and Stayers’ Hurdle in the same season was Thistlecrack in 2015/16.

Maybe Impose Toi can be the next?

Andy Newton’s 1-2-3 Long Walk Hurdle Tips

🥇IMPOSE TOI
🥈CRAMBO 
🥉HONESTY POLICY 

WATCH: Impose Toi Winning The 2025 Long Distance Hurdle 

Long Walk Hurdle 2025 Race Details

📅Date: Saturday 20th December 2025
⌚Time: 2:25pm
🏇Racecourse: Ascot
🔄Trip: 3m 1/2f
💷Winner: £71,188
📺 TV: ITV4 / Sky Sports Racing

Long Walk Hurdle Winners: The Last 10 Ascot Winners 

WATCH: The Last 10 Long Walk Hurdle Winners at Ascot