JLT Long Walk Hurdle Preview and Betting – Horse Racing Odds December 17

Alex can take the Long Walk at a gallop

Horse Racing Betting

This Saturday’s JLT Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot was one of those races you perused at the four-day stages and thought ‘that will be a decent contest if they all stand their ground’.

Well, amazingly, most of them have so we’re set for one of the toughest renewals of this traditional pre-Christmas Grade 1 in many a long year.

JLT Long Walk Hurdle History and Trends

The Long Walk in the race’s title refers to an avenue of trees in nearby Windsor Great Park. The 3m contest has been a good trial for the World Hurdle with five winners going on to glory in the big stayers race at Cheltenham since the early 1970s. Big Buck’s completed the treble three times between 2009 and 2012. Four-times winner Baracouda won at The Festival in 2002 and Thistlecrack was successful last season. Nick Williams’ Reve De Sivola has won the Long Walk three times (2012, 2013 and 2014) and was second last year – the 11-year-old is back for more but faces a much stronger field than usual.
The most telling statistic over the last 10 years is that all winners had raced within the previous 50 days. Unfortunately, that doesn’t help much as all 11 runners this year fall into that category. Most recent winners had won at Grade 2 level or above, however, with the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in November producing several winners.

Unowhatimeanharry has drifted slightly to 6/4 with Coral and followers of Harry Fry’s still-improving eight-year-old could be wise in taking advantage of those odds if they think he’ll complete a seven-timer. Only rated 137 around this time last year, there was no fluke about his defeat of favourite Ballyoptic (a general 8/1 this weekend) and Reve De Sivola (a best 14/1 for a fourth win in the race with Betway) in the aforementioned Long Distance Hurdle but I don’t reckon those odds are much value.

Incidentally, there is a great free bet offer available at online bookmaker Coral for new customers who sign up – a £20 free bet token will be gained.

The sign-up process at Coral is straightforward and quick to complete. Just head to the registration form and fill out your details. When you have received your registration confirmation, credit your account with some betting funds. This process can be done through a variety of ways, from Visa and Mastercard credit cards to e-wallet services like Neteller, Paypal and Moneybookers for convenience.

Once you have deposited funds, with a value of £5 or more, it will be matched with a £20 free bet token. The free bet has to be used with seven days of being triggered, the activation of which has be within the first 14 days of opening the account. The free bet has to be used in full with the customer keeping winnings of the free bet but not retaining the stake. Terms and conditions apply, please see full detail directly at Coral.

Hoping to follow in the hoofprints of brilliant compatriot Baracouda, ALEX DE LARREYDA will be something of an unknown quantity to most British punters as he’s having his first start in the UK but there is no mistaking his quality. France’s champion stayer is still available at 7/1 in a few places, despite having easily beaten Ptit Zig (a best 10/1) on very deep ground in a Grade 1 at Auteuil last month when Reve De Sivola was well behind.

Lil Rockerfeller is as tough as old boots but is generally found wanting at this level and has never won beyond 2m3f. Stamina in abundance will be required this weekend and he’s only the same odds as Alex De Larreyda.

JLT Long Walk Hurdle Current Best Odds

Unowhatimeanharry (6/4), Alex De Larredya and Lil Rockerfeller (7/1), Ballyoptic (8/1), Ptit Zig (10/1), Reve De Sivola and Un Temps Pour Tout (14/1), Zarkandar (20/1), Shelford and West Approach (50/1), Surtee Du Berlais (100/1)