Champ ready to roll in Long Distance highlight

WHITE AND GOLD

CONNECTIONS have high hopes for Champ as he gets his season underway in the Coral Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury today.

The gelding has switched between hurdles and fences throughout his career, notably winning what was then known as the RSA at the Cheltenham Festival in 2020 before reverting to smaller obstacles last term. Taking the staying hurdler path, the bay won the 2021 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot and was then placed in all of the top- class contests in the division during the rest of his campaign.

Champ now makes his seasonal bow under regular rider Jonjo O’Neill Jnr and is the expected favourite for the Grade Two contest.

“Nicky ( Henderson, trainer) is very pleased with him, he said he’s done two nice bits of work and he couldn’t be happier with him,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus.

“We’re hoping for the best with him, we’re likely to take it race by race from Saturday and see where we want to go next.”

Henderson, speaking to Sky Sports Racing, added: “He’s never been the easiest and has had his issues, but he’s a lovely horse and wonderfully named.

“He’s in good form – he schooled this morning and jumped absolutely beautifully.

“He was going to make up into a headline steeplechaser, but he’s always had a few problems with his back and I think he finds jumping hurdles rather easier and he stays three miles really well.

“That ( Long Walk at Ascot) would be the idea.”

Much- loved stayer Paisley Park will make his fourth appearance in the race for Emma Lavelle at Newbury.

The bay gelding was at the peak of his powers when lifting the Grade Two prize in 2019, with the victory sandwiched by wins in the Stayers’ Hurdle and the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham.