Improving Buzz Is the Saturday Banker on Ascot’s Long Walk Card
Ascot Racecourse plays host to the best jumps racing action on Saturday. The Long Walk Hurdle, a traditional steppingstone to the Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, is the day’s feature contest.
Long Walk Hurdle contender Thyme Hill was a major disappointment on his seasonal bow. ©GettyImages
Paisley Park, the 2018 and 2020 winner, returns to chase a third win in the race. Former RSA Novice’ Chase winner, Champ, is also in the field. But another runner – a buzz horse in every sense – tops the betting.
‘Buzz’ is a seven-year-old grey gelding that has steadily improved since joining the Nicky Henderson stable two years ago. He has won half of his 10 starts for the trainer and hammered 31 rivals when taking the Cesarewitch handicap on the flat in October.
Switched to hurdles six weeks later, Buzz loudly demonstrated his potential in the jump racing sphere by comfortably taking a Grade-2 hurdle at Ascot. On Saturday, he can claim his first Grade-1 win on his first attempt at three miles at the same venue.
Already 6/1 second favorite for the Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, Buzz is in the form of his life. The same cannot be said for Paisley Park or another rival, Thyme Hill. The latter was beaten over 40-lengths on his seasonal reappearance.
- Banker Bet: Buzz – 2.25 pm Ascot
Samarrive Looks a Safe Each-Way Play in the Handicap Hurdle
Samarrive was a major disappointment when beaten on his seasonal debut in October. But the youngster, who won his only start in his native France and scored on his British debut in April, took his record to three-from-four when winning convincingly at Sandown a fortnight ago.
The handicapper has given this Paul Nicholls’ trained horse a hike in the official weights, but such was the ease of his latest victory, this lightly-raced youngster may have plenty more to give.
Samarrive is pitched into a race, the Betfair Exchange Trophy, that features many runners with alluring profiles. The enigmatic Goshen – a horse that started third-favorite for the Champion Hurdle just three runs ago – is also in the contest.
Consequently, Samarrive will go off at an appealing price for each-way players and that is the best way to back him in this 14-runner race.
Be sure to shop around for the best each-way terms for this race. Being a big-field Saturday handicap, the best betting sites are sure to compete with one another by offering enhanced terms such as extra place-paying positions.
- Next Best: Samarrive (each-way) – 3.35pm Ascot
Nina to Make Amends at Haydock
Nina The Terrier was possibly unfortunate not to take her unbeaten sequence to four when falling at the final flight of a Listed Mares Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury a month ago.
Challenging for the lead at the point of her departure, it is impossible to know if she would have won. But that was clearly a strong contest. With a clear round of jumping, that level of form suggests she can and will make amends at Haydock on Saturday.
Likely to go off at a short price at the weekend, the Alan King-trained horse can be backed at 20/1 for the Mares Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Unibet will surely cut that severely price if she scores decisively as predicted.
- Tip: Nina The Terrier – 2.55 pm Haydock
