{"id":25621,"date":"2025-12-20T02:51:40","date_gmt":"2025-12-20T02:51:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/?p=25621"},"modified":"2025-12-20T07:30:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T07:30:29","slug":"long-walk-hurdle-runners-trends-tips-ascot-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/news\/long-walk-hurdle-runners-trends-tips-ascot-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Back Impose Toi To Give Henderson Third Long Walk Hurdle Win"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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

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.<\/p>\n

As well as the exciting Honesty Policy coming over from the in-form Gordon Elliott yard in Ireland.<\/p>\n

It’s all set up to be a ‘Christmas Cracker’ of a renewal.<\/p>\n

Long Walk Hurdle Runners 2025: JP McManus Dominating Ascot Entries\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

HONESTY POLICY<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

McManus could also have his recent Long Distance Hurdle winner IMPOSE TOI<\/strong> in the race.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

While JP has a top record in the Long Walk Hurdle – winning it six times.<\/p>\n

With his most recent Champ in 2021, then Unknowhatimeanharry in 2016 and Barracouda (4 wins between 2000 and 2004).<\/p>\n

Long Walk Hurdle Runners and Betting Odds 2025<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
    \n
  • <\/i> Honesty Policy 11\/4<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Impose Toi 10\/3<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Strong Leader 9\/2<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Potters Charm 9\/1<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Crambo 10\/1<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Jet Blue 14\/1<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Colonel Mustard 20\/1<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Doddiethegreat 22\/1<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Altobeli 25\/1<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Beauport 28\/1<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Gwennie May Boy 50\/1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/div>\n

    Note: Long Walk betting odds are subject to change (final runners declared on 18th Dec)<\/em><\/p>\n

    Long Walk Hurdle Trends: Last Winning Favourite In 2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    We’ve seen 10 winning Long Walk Hurdle favourites in the last 23 runnings – meaning a decent 43% SR.<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

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

    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.<\/p>\n

    Plus, all of the last 20 winners were UK-trained.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n
      \n
    • <\/i> 22\/23 \u2013 Winners that went onto run in that season\u2019s Stayers\u2019 Hurdle (Cheltenham Festival) (6 won, 4 runners-up)<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 21\/23 \u2013 Ran within the last 7 weeks<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 20\/23 \u2013 Aged 6 or older<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 19\/23\u2013 Placed in the top three last time<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 18\/23 \u2013 Won by a horse aged 8 or younger<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 18\/23 \u2013 Won at least 4 times over hurdles<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 17\/23 \u2013 Placed favourites<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 17\/23 \u2013 Won over at least 3m (hurdles)<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 13\/23\u2013 Ran at Newbury last time out<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 12\/23\u2013 French-bred horse<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 10\/23 \u2013 Won last time out<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 10\/23 \u2013 Favourites<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 8\/23 \u2013 Won by a previous winner<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 0\/23 \u2013 Irish trained winners<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> Trainer Fergal O\u2019Brien has won the last two runnings<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> Crambo won the race in 2023 and 2024<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      <\/div>\n

      Two-Time Hero Crambo Looking To Join Big Name Treble Winners<\/strong><\/h2>\n

      CRAMBO<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

      And trumped that again last year – when successfully defending his crown to win the race for a second time.<\/p>\n

      He became the first repeat winner since Reve De Sivola, who won three on the bounce between 2012 and 2014.<\/p>\n

      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.<\/p>\n

      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).<\/p>\n

      And was last seen being well beaten (48 lengths) in the Ascot Hurdle in November.<\/p>\n

      WATCH: Crambo Winning The 2024 Long Walk Hurdle<\/strong><\/h2>\n