By Andrew Atkinson
Nicky Henderson trained Buzz (2.25) with Nico De Boineville up, goes to post 2-1 favourite in a bid to continue a noted rise, in the Grade 1 Howden Long Walk Hurdle over 3 miles at Ascot on Saturday.
Stablemate Champ, ridden by Jonjo O’Neill junior, is worth an each-way punt, priced at 15-2.
Buzz faces stiff opposition in 2019 Stayers’ Hurdle winner and Long Walk twice-winner Emma Lavelle trained Paisley Park (8-1) with jockey Tom Bellamy stepping in for Aidan Coleman.
Champ, who returns to the fold with a first start over Hurdles since winning the 2019 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, also comes up against Grade 1 winner Thyme Hill, Ronald Pump and Thomas Darby.
Alan King trained Tritonic (3.35) is tipped each-way by fromthehorsesmouth.info priced at 14-1 in the Grade 3 Betfair Exchange Trophy Handicap Hurdle over 1m 7f, with Adrian Hesketh in the saddle.
Greatwood Hurdle winner West Cork and Grade 1-winning novice hurdler Metier also go to post.
Goshen, who steps into handicap company for the first time over jumps, heads the field, carrying 11st 12lbs.
Glencassley (12.40) trained by Charlie Longsdon and ridden by Paul O’Brien is tipped each-way priced at 12-1 in the Class 4 Novices Handicap Hurdle over 2m 7f.
Messire Des Obeaux (1.15) priced at 3-1, trained by Alan King and ridden by Daryl Jacob is tipped to land the C2 Graduation Chase over 2m 5f.
J. Honeyball trained Sully D’Oc Aa (1.50) is selected each-way by fromthehorsesmouth.info priced at 7-1 in the C2 Handicap Chase over 2m 2f, with R.P. McLernon up.
Paul Nicholls OBE saddles Grand Sancy (3.00) with Harry Cobden up tipped each-way at 6-1 in the Howden Silver Cup Listed handicap chase over 2m 7f.
Howden Grade 1, 3 miles Long Walk Hurdle runners and jockeys
Buzz Nico de Boinville, Champ Jonjo O’Neill Jr, Lisnagar Oscar Adam Wedge, On The Blind Side James Bowen, Paisley Park Tom Bellamy, Ronald Pump Keith Donoghue, Third Wind Charlie Deutsch, Thomas Darby Fergus Gregory, Thyme Hill Tom O’Brien.
ASCOT fromthehorsesmouth.info selections: 12.40 Glencassley (ew). 1.15 Messire Des Obeaux. 1.50 Sully D’Oc Aa (ew). 2.25 Buzz. Champ (ew). 3.00 Grand Sancy (ew). 3.35 Tritonic (ew).
Caption: Nicky Henderson saddles Buzz (2.25) Ascot G1 Howden Long Walk Hurdle.
