2012 Long Walk Hurdle Betting Tips and Preview Part 1
- By A.J. Ryder on December 20, 2012 13:47 GMT
Another selection of staying hurdlers are set to challenge the living legend Big Buck’s at Ascot in just a few days as the Christmas National Hunt fixtures kick off in earnest this coming weekend. There’s a lot to like about this race and, at a distance of 3m1f, it looks like it’s going to be another interesting iteration of Big Buck’s dominance.
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The living legend son of Cadoudal has been out only once this year but it was a smashing performance with his usual amount of panache and verve, as he stormed home to win by an emphatic nine lengths. Reve De Sivola chased him home that day and he’s looking likely to be back for another run at the Paul Nicholls’ trained nine year old.
It’s important to note that this has never been the most competitive division of jumpers with Reve De Sivola not having actually won since a novice level score at Cheltenham back in 2010. That was over two years ago.
There are a few lesser known contenders lining up here along with a couple who seem to get beaten by Big Buck’s on the regular. One of those contenders is Five Dream - he was fourth back in early December at Newbury, finishing 27 lengths off the pace. He’s also not exactly setting the board on fire these days but he’s been able to flash some quality in the past. He finished second in this race last year when sent off at 66/1 so you at least know he’s a bit of a horse for course. He has struggled when stepping up to the highest level and has been inconsistent at lower levels as well.
Five Dream is part of a three-horse entry Paul Nicholls is considering for this one and, along with the 1500 pound gorilla in the room, he has also booked Ruby Walsh for a ride on Prospect Wells - a talented up-and-coming hurdler who hasn’t scored since the novice circuit. The seven-year-old son of Sadler’s Wells may be pointed elsewhere but he fits in a bit better than some of the others - running regularly at the highest level.