Ascot Saturday Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1)

THE Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot yesterday produced another thrilling finish as Paisley Park, Crambo and Dashel Drasher jumped the last together. It was the Johnny Burke-ridden Crambo who pulled out that bit extra to hold off the valiant 11-year-old Paisley Park who had led briefly on the run-in and deny him a fourth win in the race.

It was just a second Grade 1 for the burgeoning Fergal O’Brien yard, as Crambo was making his debut in open top-level company.

Crambo was slashed to 8/1 (from 20s) for the Stayers’ Hurdle by race sponsors Paddy Power and O’Brien suggested that could be his next starting point.

O’Brien said to ITV Racing: “It’s phenomenal. I thought Johnny had him in a lovely spot and I was amazed by how well he jumped and travelled.

“I thought turning in it’d take a good one to get ahead of him and he had two good ones either side of him.

Replacement

“Paisley Park went down on his shield – it takes two good horses to make a great race, he’s matched him stride for stride and it’s grand. I’m very proud of the horse.”

Burke replaced Connor Brace in the saddle and was recording his fourth Grade 1 winner. “I had a willing partner, he travelled really well. I thought he’d hit a flat spot but he didn’t and he jumped brilliantly. We didn’t go mad quick so I was able to sit close. When he locked horns with Paisley [Park] he kept finding and finding. He got headed again but battled back. I’m delighted. He’s potentially an up-and-coming stayer.”

In the big handicap, the three-mile Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase the terrific run of Charlie Deutsch and trainer Venetia Williams continued when the five-year-old Victtorino (4/1) carried 12st and held off the challenge of the Gavin Cromwell-trained Yeah Man by three quarters of a length

Haydock Saturday Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase

AT Haydock Nicky Richards’ Famous Bridge scored a tenacious success in the Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at Haydock Park, carrying the famous Trevor Hemmings colours.

The seven-year-old continued his progression over fences when defying a 6lb rise in the weights for his last time out course and distance success when calling on his stamina reserves to secure victory in the £50,000 feature prize.

For much of the home straight the mare Burrows Diamond might have the extended three miles and one furlong contest in her grasp.However, over the last two and as Burrows Diamond’s tank started to empty, Famous Bridge gained a second wind.

Gruelling

After jumping the last almost in unison Famous Bridge forged into the lead under Sean Quinlan, and held a determined Burrows Diamond by a length to give Richards his first success in the race. Richards said of the successful 5/2 favourite: “He crept away and done it grand. Sean thought he was going to win from the second last. I don’t know if we would want to run him on that ground too many times as it is fairly gruelling.

“He is a youngish horse for a chasing horse, and I think he is on the up, but you don’t want to keep putting the gun to their head on that ground.”Although Famous Bridge was given a quote of 25/1 for the Grand National by William Hill the Greystoke handler insisted that he has other targets on his mind away from Aintree.