{"id":70854,"date":"2025-11-27T01:20:25","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T01:20:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/?p=70854"},"modified":"2025-11-28T09:54:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T09:54:10","slug":"long-distance-hurdle-tips-2025-andy-newton-newbury-best-bets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/news\/long-distance-hurdle-tips-2025-andy-newton-newbury-best-bets\/","title":{"rendered":"Long Distance Hurdle: Toi Can ‘Impose’ Himself On Staying Hurdle Division"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Last year’s winner Strong Leader heads seven runners as he bids to become the first ‘back-to-back’<\/em> winner since Big Buck’s, who won the prize four times between 2009 and 2012.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

But Sportscasting’s Andy Newton is taking on the 2024 winner.<\/p>\n

Long Distance Hurdle Tips: Toi Can ‘Impose’ Himself On Staying Division<\/h2>\n

Trainer Nicky Henderson has won the Long Distance Hurdle four times – the first coming back in 1995 with Conquering Leader.<\/p>\n

With his most recent success in 2022, after the JP McManus-owned Champ powered home aged 10.<\/p>\n

This year Hendo be trying to add to that record with his Cheltenham Festival winner Doddiethegreat and recent Aintree winner IMPOSE TOI.<\/p>\n

And it’s the last-named that interests me the most.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

While he’s also the same price (16\/1) for the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at the 2026 Festival.<\/p>\n

But this is a step up from handicap company (raised 5lbs) into graded class so more is needed for Friday’s ITV Racing<\/a> contest.<\/p>\n

Nicky Henderson Not Sure He’s A Graded Horse – But In A Weak Division Looks Worth Chancing<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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.”<\/em><\/p>\n

However, for me, it was still a very taking effort – travelling supremely well.<\/p>\n

It was also his first over 3m, so there is a chance this longer distance will eke out more improvement.<\/p>\n

He’s also still only seven years-old and won over hurdles at this Newbury meeting last year, so we know the track suits.<\/p>\n

Impose Toi has only 3lbs to find with Strong Leader on the official ratings too – but gets 6lbs off last year’s winner.<\/p>\n

Owner JP McManus has also won this race with Unowhatimeanharry and Baracouda (twice each)<\/p>\n

So I’ll take Toi to ‘Impose’ himself on the staying hurdle division and give JP more success in this Grade Two hurdle.<\/p>\n

Andy Newton’s 1-2-3 Long Distance Hurdle Tips<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\ud83e\udd47IMPOSE TOI
\n\ud83e\udd48STRONG LEADER\u00a0<\/b>
\n<\/b>\ud83e\udd49HEWICK\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Strong Leader Has To Give 6lbs Away To Most Of The Others\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Strong
Strong Leader Looking To Win The Long Distance Hurdle For A Second Year<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Twelve months ago, the Olly Murphy-trained Strong Leader lived up to his name to land the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.<\/p>\n

And will be a popular pick to repeat the feat in 2025.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

With Thomas Darby their other winner.<\/p>\n

Both previous Murphy wins were also ridden by champion jockey Sean Bowen, who will be in the saddle again.<\/p>\n

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).<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Strong Leader landed last year’s race by an easy three lengths and despite Friday’s renewal looking stronger.<\/p>\n

A win here will also boost the Olly Murphy season prize pot by \u00a343k, as he sits second in the 2025-26 British Jump Trainers’ Championship<\/a> behind Dan Skelton.<\/p>\n

While he’d also be the first ‘back-to-back’<\/em> Long Distance Hurdle winner since Big Buck’s. Who won the prize four times on the bounce between 2009 and 2012.<\/p>\n

But I just feel that having to give 6lbs away to most of the others won’t be easy.<\/p>\n

He’s taken to run well, but take a place rather than gold again.<\/p>\n