With that in mind, this is likely to be her main target rather than the Stayers’ Hurdle. Her best form has come on flat tracks, so Cheltenham may not be her place. Her trainer Dan Skelton has had a difficult season, but West Balboa appears to be one of his best chances for Grade 1 glory this campaign as she gets weight from all of these rivals as the only female in the field. That was the performance of a Grade 1 horse in the making and she bids to prove that here.

This daughter of Yeats out of Rostellan probably would have found the drop to 2m 4f against her, but she travelled well enough to stay in contention and powered clear after the last to beat the smart Brewin’upastorm by 12 lengths. Her seasonal reappearance triumph was a career-best effort.

There is a lot to like about the way WEST BALBOA has progressed through the ranks and the seven-year-old mare showed she has trained on over the summer when adding a victory at Aintree last month to her two wins at the end of last term in handicaps. Check out the latest free bets to use on this week’s sporting action.The above odds are correct at the time of publishing and subject to changĪlready used the Betfair promo code? Take a look at more great bookmaker offers and the best betting sites. Next best: Dashel Drasher 7/1 with Betfair.Selection: West Balboa 5/2 with Betfair.Long Walk Hurdle, Ascot, Saturday December 23, 2.25pm It is usually won by a horse who goes the distance well and often throws up a live contender for the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.Ī field of 10 has been declared for this afternoon’s race and our expert has picked out a pair to follow. Run over 3m ½f, the Long Walk is a gruelling test of stamina with a finish that is uphill all the way from Swinley Bottom. The second day of Ascot’s traditional pre-Christmas meeting takes place this afternoon and the feature Long Walk Hurdle (2.25pm) is one of the most keenly anticipated races in the staying division at the world-renowned Berkshire venue.

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