DOUBLE HANDFUL

Racing betting column in association with

THERE’S an absolutely cracking card at Ascot today, the highlight being the high-class field of ten who will contest the Long Walk Hurdle. I’ve had a few texts in the he week from friends trying to tell me that the Long Walk will be a walk in the park for Paisley Park.

I’m not sure how he’s going to turn the form around on THYME HILL, who beat him with a fair bit in hand at Newbury only a month ago.

Sure, Paisley Park is 3lb better off with Thyme Hill but I don’t think that will be enough for Emma Lavelle’s eight-year-old and he won’t relish the ground if it turns very soft.

Remember, Paisley Park was pulled out on the morning of the race this time last year because the ground was too soft.

Expect the going at Ascot to be deeper than a novel by Jean-Paul Sartre this afternoon.

Paisley Park was the premier staying hurdler for a couple of seasons until he flopped in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at this year’s Cheltenham Festival. Connections cited a fibrillating heart as the reason for the disappointing run. In unrelated news, I hear Bonnie Tyler has relea released a video all about cardio cardiology. It’s called Totally Cli Clips Of The Heart. Thyme Hill is the horse to beat.

Philip Hobbs’ six-year-old is a secondseason hurdler who can only improve — and he a ain’t done much wrong th thus far, winning four of his five f races over hurdles. He’s won on the soft stuff and Hobbs himself has said the testing surface won’t pose a problem for his charge.

As mentioned, this is a high-quality field and I expect the main danger to come from Dan Skelton’s Roksana after her eye-catching win at Wetherby on soft ground at the end of October.

David Pipe’s Main Fact can’t be dismissed given he’s won his last nine races, including six on heavy ground.

But this is a huge step up and my money will be firmly on Thyme Hill.