The Festive season is upon us with Group 1 National Hunt racing in Britain over the long weekend.
The Christmas meeting at Ascot takes place today, with the Gr1 Howden Long Walk Hurdle (16h25), the headline act.
Ten runners contest the extended three miles feature, run on ideal good to soft ground.
There’s a familiar look to the contest with Paisley Park and Champ in the field. They have won four of the last five renewals, Paisley Park defending his crown winning at a re-routed Kempton last year.
The Nicky Henderson trained Champ makes his seasonal return here but has been successful first time up over the last three seasons, so that should be seen as a positive.
Paisley Park and Dashel Drasher ran three weeks ago at Newbury in the Long-Distance Hurdle and there was only a head between them at the line.
These three veterans are the highest rated runners in the contest and with all winning over course and distance, should be too strong for the balance again. With Henderson in such good form, Champ is the selection.
Ascot first is off at 14h40.
