Grade One Long Walk Hurdle Guide 2022

Joe Glayshier | @joeglayshier

Kempton - December 26 2022
Kempton 12:45
3
Jonathan Burke

Not So Sleepy

J: Jonathan Burke
T: Hughie Morrison
N/A
Age: 10
Weight: 11-7
OR: 158
Days: 30

The ratings suggest he can challenge here but was well beaten by Constitution Hill by 14 lengths last time out at Newcastle over 2m last month. He’s a very experienced runner, with over 50 career runs but this will be his first effort over this trip.

I would be looking at the other four here with his last victory also coming over a year ago.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
14/10/23NMK18Sft9-97
23/09/23NBY13.5Hy9-121
14/03/23CHL16.5Sft11-105
26/12/22KEM24.5Sft11-75
26/11/22NCS16GS11-103
Kempton - December 26 2022
Kempton 12:45
1
Jonjo O'Neill Jr

Champ

J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr
T: Nicky Henderson
N/A
Age: 10
Weight: 11-7
OR: 161
Days: 31

31 days on from his success at Newbury, he is looking for back-to-back victories in a race that is set to be another classic battle with Paisley Park, who he edged out by a neck in that win last month.

Hasn’t raced here since 2017 but is an experienced hurdler with seven hurdle victories and should go close here. I can see this one being another exciting contest between himself and Paisley Park, with Champ possibly edging it.

Kempton - December 26 2022
Kempton 12:45
4
Aidan Coleman

Paisley Park

J: Aidan Coleman
T: Emma Lavelle
N/A
Age: 10
Weight: 11-7
OR: 160
Days: 31

There’s a lot to like about the experienced Paisley Park, who ran Champ very close on his last outing at Newbury, losing by a neck.

A winner of ten hurdle races and a 79% place success rate, he should be going close again here.

His battle with Champ at Newbury was a fascinating spectacle and throwing Miranda and Goshen into the mix creates excitement for a brilliant race.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
16/03/23CHL24Sft11-107
28/01/23CHL24Sft11-83
26/12/22KEM24.5Sft11-71
25/11/22NBY24Gd11-82
28/04/22PUN23.5Gd/Y11-105
Kempton - December 26 2022
Kempton 12:45
5
Harry Cobden

Miranda

J: Harry Cobden
T: Paul Nicholls
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 11-0
OR: 146
Days: 35

Miranda is edging Paisley Park in the prices at the time of writing thanks to some terrific form over the last couple of years, with two victories and four placings sandwiched by a couple of disappointing runs at Sandown and Haydock in March and May respectively.

Is a winner over this C&D on her latest outing, beating Martello Sky by 11 lengths. Could go close again if in the same form and is unbeaten at this venue.

Kempton - December 26 2022
Kempton 12:45
2
Jamie Moore

Goshen

J: Jamie Moore
T: Gary Moore
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 11-7
OR: 157
Days: 37

Won on his latest outing last month at Ascot, beating Brewin’upastorm by nine lengths over 2m 3f. This is obviously a decent step up in trip but he has overcome most step ups in his career so far, boasting ten victories.

If he can prove himself here against some other top 3m hurdlers, he can push the leaders for victory and maybe even win himself.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
14/10/23NMK18Sft8-926
29/04/23SAN21.5Sft11-102
26/02/23FON19Gd11-105
31/01/23LIN16GS11-43
26/12/22KEM24.5Sft11-72