As the Christmas period began to roll closer and closer, the sport of racing would start to wind down for a much needed festive break. The final meeting at Ascot of 2025 would provide action of the highest quality, a pre-Boxing Day appetiser for racing fans. The Grade One Long Walk Hurdle is a synonymous race to racegoers and the staying hurdle contest has a rich history of previous winners, all of whom were much loved during their careers. The feature race would be form part of a high quality triple header, complimented by handicaps over hurdles and fences. These races added extra competitiveness and value to the card and have also been won in the past by some famous names. A graduation chase and pair of lower graded hurdle contests would complete the bill and entertain the crowd which was filled with festive cheer and excitement. 

Race One: The Howden Graduation Chase - Class Two - Two Miles, Five Furlongs - Runners: 3

A large crowd would descend on the royal grounds of Ascot racecourse as a special Christmas family themed raceday helped draw in the numbers with plenty of activities around the enclosures. Racegoers were also treated to some rare winter sunshine which helped to boost the mood. Opening the bill would be a Graduation Chase which started at the bottom of the course over two and a half miles. Graduation chases are few and far between, but are limited to horses who have won no more than two races over fences, which often attracts some classy novices from the previous season. Last year's event saw a small field dominated by Irish runners and the very lightly raced ten-year-old Jungle Boogie picking up the pieces and taking victory for the Henry de Bromhead yard. He would then line up in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham on his only other run of the season.

This race was originally planned for a later slot in the afternoon, but with a small field of three runners declared, it was bumped up to open the afternoon's racing. Heading the card would be a two-pronged Irish challenge, the first of which would be Firefox from the in form Gordon Elliott stable. The seven year old finished in the frame at the spring festivals as a novice hurdler in early 2024, but fell just below the highest level in his first season over fences. He would make a comfortable comeback win in a Grade Two race at Down Royal and had an advantage on ratings. The Willie Mullins stable is gearing up for an assault over the Christmas period and would warm up with his runner James Du Berlais. The high class handicapper hasn't won as often as hoped over fences, but showed his quality when running away with a handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival in May. He would be one of a few who were never involved in the John Durkan Chase last time out. Completing the talented trio would be Iroko for the Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero stable. The seven year old fell early on in this race last year, but still went on to take an excellent fourth in this year's Grand National. All roads seemingly lead back to Aintree in April as he chased home The Jukebox Man in a similar event at Haydock last month.

Winner: IROKO (Cokoriko x Boscraie) (#3) - J. O'Neill Jnr - O. Greenall & J. Guerriero

The trio of runners would behave themselves at the start and once the flag dropped to signify the start of the race, it would be Firefox who was sent into the lead under Sean Bowen. The famous green and yellow hooped silks of JP McManus would sit in second as Iroko was happy to bowl along in second and James Du Berlais looked on from the rear, keeping his two rivals in check under JJ Slevin. The overall pace of the race would only be a steady one as the horses hacked their way around Ascot. Passing the stands for the first time, Firefox maintained his small lead over Iroko with a couple of lengths further back to James Du Berlais, but all three horses continued to jump efficiently. Iroko drew level with Firefox on the downhill descent to the bottom of the course before Sean Bowen began to raise the pace slightly on the leader Firefox. As the runners made their way back uphill towards the home bend, the race began to heat up. Rounding the bend, all three runners were tightly bunched and still travelling well. Iroko had taken a wider course under Jonjo O'Neill but took over in front as Firefox made a slight mistake. James Du Berlais was still threatening on their heels, but his rider opted to go between rivals between the final two fences and the door was firmly shut in his face. That would leave Iroko to gallop towards the final fence where he jumped it cleanly. Firefox's run had wilted out as Iroko began to power away towards the line, looking better the further he went. Crossing the line over four lengths to the good, it would be a case of job done for the seven year old. Firefox ran a creditable race back in second, holding off James Du Berlais who wasn't quite up to the level back in third.

Connections will be relieved to see this highly talented gelding get his head back in front after a series of frustrating events throughout his chasing career. Having arrived from France to the Cheshire stable of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, Iroko became a household name by winning the Martin Pipe Conditional Hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, a race which often sources high class chasers. He would then make a stylish chasing debut win at Warwick in November 2023, but injury threatened to end his season. A quicker than expected recovery saw him make the spring festivals where he posted excellent efforts in the Turner's Novice Chase at Cheltenham and then the Mildmay Novice Chase at Aintree where he chased home a future Gold Cup winner in Inothewayurthinkin. Last season, he would go winless despite running to a high standard. He was hampered at the first fence in this race year and fell, but returned to form by taking second against top class grey Grey Dawning. It would set up a tilt at the Grand National of 2025 where he was given a quiet ride throughout before staying on strongly to take fourth at Aintree and finish best of the English runners. A return trip to Merseyside looks guaranteed and he lined up at Ascot as the ante-post favourite for this season's renewal. This trip would have been the bare minimal trip for Iroko, but he impressed with his final burst towards the line. He has hardened as the Grand National favourite and he should be a leading contender once again.

Race Two: The Karen Codd Novices' Handicap Hurdle - Class Four - Three Miles - Runners: 9
The opening event of this quality race day would be a handicap hurdle for novices who have found winning opportunities hard to come by. Races of this nature are often aimed at the more longer term prospects who showed only minor promise in novice hurdles previously and are now operating at a much more realistic level. Last year, the race saw just a handful of runners, but the Georgia Nicholls-trained Thank You Ma'am would be a topical winner at the Royal venue as the gelding snapped a long run of placed finishes under Olive Nicholls.

The weights in this year's contest would be headed by the last time out winner Fresh Kicks for the Nicky Henderson yard. The five year old had been showing improvement with each start before an emphatic win over two and a half miles at Plumpton at the start of December and he looks open to more progression. Fergal O'Brien would be hoping for a good start to a big day here with his runner Havefunontherun. The lightly raced five year old won on seasonal debut in May and has shown promise over hurdles; including a close second at Southwell a month ago. Dan Skelton's horses have been in top form all season and his first runner of the day would be recent recruit Mount Gay Run. The listed race  placed seven year old made an encouraging stable debut when chasing home a smart novice hurdler at Southwell in November. Ben Pauling is another trainer with big hopes over Christmas and would saddle the five year old Duel de Soleil. He looked a different horse after wind surgery by winning easily at Wetherby before running well on his latest start into third, showing he remains in good form. Paul Nicholls would be another leading trainer with an interest here, which came in the form of Jakar Du Moulin. He won his only point-to-point but is yet to go close over hurdles. After unseating his rider two starts ago, he wasn't at this best on handicap debut at Exeter recently. Buzz Iceclear has been a revelation this season for the Mark Walford stable as the five year old has won his last two starts over hurdles. He is a guaranteed stayer at this trip having shown battling qualities on soft ground at Wetherby and Ayr in November. Christian Williams is a highly shrewd trainer when it comes to young horses in handicaps and he would be represented by Dixie Mafia, who has seemingly been a work in progress. After showing minor progress over shorter trips, he ran his best race last time at Aintree when getting narrowly denied over his first attempt at three miles. Another returning runner would be the David Dennis-trained Gasmani, who is also a maiden over hurdles so far. This would be the six year old's first run since Chepstow in April where he finished third but was beaten a long way. Legendary trainer Henrietta Knight has made a quiet return to the training ranks in recent years, but she would be represented by Doctor Midas, a maiden five year old. The gelding has shown promise over a range of distances so far, including a second in a similar event here at the previous meeting.

Winner: JAKAR DU MOULIN (Kapgarde x Maguy Des Plages) (#5) - H. Cobden - P. Nicholls

This wide open contest would get away to a level start and the early pace would be set by Jakar Du Moulin, who gave his rider Harry Cobden a difficult time by racing keenly. He would be taken on for the lead by Gasmani and Duel Au Soleil, but the pace remained an even one in the first circuit of the contest. The well backed favourite Mount Gay Run would sit in a handy position alongside Fresh Kicks as the lazily running Doctor Midas was held up with Buzz Iceclear, Havefunontherun and Dixie Mafia. The jumping efficiency of these novices had largely been faultless for most of the race and the pack made their way uphill out of Swinley Bottom, the runners would bunch up. Gasmani was the first to crack and his time up front came to a grinding halt by fading away. Rounding the home bend, Jakar Du Moulin still held on to the lead, but Duel Au Soleil loomed large in his mirrors. The leader would hit the second last hurdle which opened the door to Duel Au Soleil. They would go head to head with the final hurdle fast approaching. Duel Au Soleil jumped it marginally better and took over a narrow lead under Callum Pritchard. Jakar Du Moulin was far from done with however and began to rally under a strong Harry Cobden ride. It would be a head to head, toe to toe battle inside the final furlong and the pair crossed the line together. Further behind and on the far side of the track, Buzz Iceclear caught the eye with a late finishing third place ahead of the tiring Mount Gay Run. An impatient hush would fall over the track as punters waited for the judge's verdict of the photo finish. The win was given to Jakar Du Moulin, who had bravely fought back to deny Duel Au Soleil.

It would be an epic finish to warm up the crowd and this race is filled with potential for the future. The winner Jakar Du Moulin had been disappointing after his move to the Paul Nicholls yard, but this would be his first win under rules at the fifth attempt. The son of established National Hunt sire Kapgarde won on his point-to-point debut over three miles in February 2024, but suffered heavy defeats in novice hurdles subsequently. His best finish prior to this race came at Exeter where he finished second, but still comfortably held by the winner. His latest start on handicap debut offered promise as he returned home a close up fifth at Exeter. This would be his second start after wind surgery and it is clear that the process has done the trick. A half brother to the talented French-trained Utopia Dream, who won three times over fences including at listed level, he is also a distant relative to Newman Des Plages, who also achieved a similar feat. The Paul Nicholls stable is in need of a change of fortunes and they could have a smart staying handicap chaser in years to come with Jakar Du Moulin who will surely improve again once he switches to fences. 

Race Three: The Howden Handicap Chase - Class Two - Two Miles, Three Furlongs - Runners: 9
Next up would be the turn of the more experienced horses with this chase over the intermediate distance of two and a quarter miles. The class two contest would feature horses who are rising through the ranks taking on others who have competed at a much higher level without recent success. Twelve months ago, the race would go the way of Kotmask, who was well positioned throughout to give the Gary and Josh Moore stable a success on the day. 

Carrying top weight in this contest would be Matterhorn from the Paul Nicholls stable. The seven year old was a prolific winner in the summer of 2024 before his form levelled out, but returned to winning ways in good style at Uttoxeter in a valuable contest in May.  The grey Bad has been the opposite to his name so far during his career and Ben Pauling's six year old was an impressive winner at Kempton back in October, a course he has run well at in the past. He would confirm his well being with a good fifth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham where his stamina faded late on. The in form stable of Dan Skelton continues their march to the trainer's title with Etalon in this contest. The eight year old can be inconsistent at times but is a talented chaser on his day, as shown at Perth in April when winning by a big margin at this level. The silks of Elite Racing are more often seen on the flat, but were carried by the useful General Medrano for trainer Emma Lavelle. The eight year old was in good form at this time last year before running well enough in better company. This season however, he has yet to hit top form in two starts. A horse arriving in good heart here would be the Tom Symonds-trained Issam, who has taken his form to a new level since moving to fences. The multiple winning hurdler has a record of two wins and a second over the larger obstacles this season, the latest win coming at Wetherby in battling style. Joe Tizzard is another trainer who has been flying recently and has a good record in handicap cases at Ascot. He would be represented by the talented Scarface, who was a fast closing second in this race last year. Since then, the eight year old has won again before taking second in the Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton in early November. The once promising young hurdler Rare Edition has endured a mixed bag of form so far over larger obstacles but Charlie Longsdon's eight year old remains lightly raced and could improve back over this longer trip. Newmarket trainer Dylan Cunha has trained winners on the flat and over jumps in his short time in Britain and would be represented here by the consistent Here Comes Georgie. The seven year old won at this meeting last year and has been highly tried on occasions. After getting outclassed at Exeter, he would return to form with a close second at Doncaster at the end of last month. Completing the line-up would be the Venetia Williams-trained The Famous Five. Horses from her stable often spark into life at this time of the year, so this seven year old could be well prepared ahead of his seasonal comeback. 

Winner: ETALON (Sholokhov x So You Said) (#3) - H. Skelton - D. Skelton

As the horses circled at the foot of the hill for the two and a quarter mile starting point, the jockeys onboard were subtly signalling their intent for when the race started. The flag dropped and immediately, Etalon was sent forward under Harry Skelton but was shadowed by Harry Cobden and Matterhorn as these two jumped the first flight together. In behind them would be Rare Edition, Here Comes Georgie and Scarface as the pace looked to be a decent one passing the grandstands. The Famous Five would struggle in the early stages and found himself tailed off and jumping noticeably to his left. The first incident of the race would happen at the downhill eighth fence where General Medrano took a heavy fall and his rivals had to avoid the horse, compromising their position. It would open the race up as Etalon and Scarface opened up a gap on their chasing rivals. Etalon produced a good leap at the fourth last and began to turn the screw. Scarface would try and keep the pressure on, but in the home straight, Etalong produced two more assured leaps to land this contest with comfort. Scarface's challenge was burned away and he would only just hold on to second as Issam stayed on from the rear into third along with the favourite Bad, who was never really involved and took fourth place. There would be a sad postscript to the race as General Medrano would lose his life following the fall. The eight year old landed his biggest career win at Newbury in November last year before running a great race when eighth in the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He leaves a syndicate of devoted owners who he provided so many happy memories on track.

The winner Etalon was returning to his very best here under an aggressive front running ride by former champion jockey Harry Skelton. The eight year old son of Sholokhov was a promising novice chaser at the end of 2023 having won his first three starts over fences and took on Grade One company at Aintree. Last season would be one of frustration. Highlights would come few and far between for Etalon, but he would score a belated win at Perth's April festival where he dropped down in class to win very easily. This season started with optimism at Fontwell where he was overhauled by the winner in the closing stages, but his inconsistency showed up again last time out with a poor display at Newbury. A switch to patient tactics clearly backfired that day and he looked much happier attacking the fences up front and rewarded the Skeltons for the change of plan. A very classy sort on his day, but his unpredictability suggests a repeat of this win isn't guaranteed next time. 

Race Four: The Howden Long Walk Hurdle - Grade One - Three Miles - Runners: 11
The centre piece of this Christmas cracker of a race fixture would come in the form of the Long Walk Hurdle for the warriors of National Hunt racing. Since it was promoted into a pattern race back in 1990, some of the best staying hurdlers have won this race multiple times. They would include Baracouda, who holds the record of most wins in the race with four between 2000 and 2004, stayer supreme Big Buck's who dominated the scene during his time on track and the quirky but much loved Paisley Park who won this in 2018, 2019 and 2022.  Horses at this level face off against each other on a regular basis, but their longevity and battling qualities see them become firm favourites in the racing fraternity. The last two renewals of this race have gone to Fergal O'Brien's Crambo, who bravely held off Hiddenvalley View and Beauport in a thrilling finish.

This year's renewal would see the usual suspects at this level and a high quality line-up of horses. Heading the card would be Harry Fry's prolific winner Altobelli. The seven year old is a regular at Ascot and landed two valuable handicap hurdles at the start of this year. He wasn't at his best on comeback in the Ascot Hurdle behind Wodhooh and company last month. Last year's third placed Beauport returned for another go for the Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies stable. Having run well for a long well in the Grand National in April, the nine year old looked in need of the run at Cheltenham in a long distance chase in November.The Irish-trained Colonel Mustard would cross the Irish Sea for trainer Lorna Fowler. Her stable star remains better than ever at the age of ten and caused a bit of a surprise by winning the Lismullen Hurdle over two and a half miles. The two times defending champ Crambo put his belt on the line once again for the Fergal O'Brien yard. He has established himself as a course specialist, but produced a very disappointing effort on his comeback in November's Ascot Hurdle. Nicky Henderson was able to eke out improvement in the nine year old Doddiethegreat to win the Pertemps Final Handicap at this year's Cheltenham Festival and has since run well into the minor placings in similar events at Wetherby and Newbury. Gwennie May Boy was a big improver for the Dan Skelton stable during the last two seasons and won the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock in February. After some heavy defeats in Graded company, a switch to the Olly Murphy yard over the summer was unable to bring about success. The exciting five year old Honesty Policy took on the big boys here for the Gordon Elliott stable but holds a lot of potential. The five year old was an impressive winner of an Aintree Grade One novice in April before an agonising defeat over three miles at Punchestown. He is expected to have a big season ahead of him. Also in the JP McManus silks would be Impose Toi, the new leader of the staying hurdle pack. Nicky Henderson's seven year old has always had plenty of ability, but saw out the trip well at Newbury by battling hard to victory in the Long Distance Hurdle. This race would have more international flavour courtesy of the French-trained Jet Blue for David Cottin. The high class six year old burst onto the British scene as a novice last season and showed his ability with a second to Losange Bleu in a Grade One at Auteuil last time out. A second runner for the Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies stable would be Potters Charm. The six year old seemingly had the world at his feet as a novice, but lost his unbeaten record at the Festival. He would fall at an early stage in the Long Distance Hurdle, but showed potential when third in the Ascot Hurdle over a shorter trip here. Strong Leader would give his trainer Olly Murphy a good hand in this contest as the nine year old has turned into a high class stayer of late. The eight year old blew out in last year's race, but bounced back to take second in a Grade One at Aintree before making a winning return in Wetherby's Yorkshire Hurdle. He was also narrowly denied in the Long Distance Hurdle to Impose Toi.

Winner: IMPOSE TOI (It's Gino x Saraska d'Airy) (#8) - N. De Boinville - N. Henderson

All eleven runners would stand their ground and make this year's running of the Long Walk a high class one. With such a tightly packed staying division, a case could be made to most of the runners which meant it would be a race not to be missed. From the outset, the dour staying chaser Beauport went into the lead under Tom Bellamy and his stablemate Potters Charm sat in a close second alongside Strong Leader and Honesty Policy who raced keenly on his return. Doddiethegreat was also just behind the leaders with French raider Jet Blue and the order stretched back to Gwennie May Boy, Impose Toi and Colonel Mustard at the rear. The pace would be a even one but the order remained largely the same as they reached the point of departure to start the final circuit. Beauport continued to bowl along in front, but coming out of the bend at the bottom of the track, Strong Leader moved alongside travelling quite well. Sean Bowen had taken up the running on Strong Leader at quite an early stage and was there to be shot at from his closing rivals. Potters Charm was promoted to second as Beauport's lights quickly went out and the JP McManus-owned pair of Honesty Policy and Impose Toi loomed large. The race of eleven quickly whittled down to a race of four as Strong Leader was nudged along into the home straight. Potters Charm was the first to blink and was dropped at the second last hurdle which the other three jumped smoothly. As Sean Bowen and Mark Walsh were riding Strong Leader and Honesty Policy hard, Nico de Boinville was still on the bridle on Impose Toi. At the final hurdle, Strong Leader brushed the top of it and lost momentum, allowing Impose Toi the upper hand. Impose Toi was then unleashed by de Boinville and began to plug on up the run in. The advantage would stay fixed around a length, but Impose Toi had done just enough to seal the win. Strong Leader's challenge went all the way to the line, but he settled for second best once again as Honesty Policy was caught flat footed on the landing side of the last hurdle but stayed on strongly into third place, almost grabbing second place.

The Long Walk Hurdle often falls the way of the in form staying hurdler of the moment and this year would be no different as Impose Toi landed a second big staying race this year. Nicky Henderson's seven year old was originally a very smart two miler at the start of his career, as shown with a close second in the big handicap hurdle on this card in 2023. An agonising second place in the Coral Cup at this year's Cheltenham Festival opened options for longer distances and a first win over three miles came at Aintree in November where he quickened right away. Moving out of handicap company for the first time at Newbury, he would take in the Grade Two Long Distance Hurdle three weeks later and established himself at this level. Always travelling powerfully that day, he would outbattle Strong Leader in a finish that looked very similar to the one here. Quoted by his trainer as being a lazy worker on the gallops, Impose Toi does the bare minimum required in the races. He often catches the eye with how easily he travels, but finds just enough when asked to quicken. He will now head to Cheltenham's Trials meeting in a month's time before a likely spot in the Stayers' Hurdle at the Festival. His high cruising speed will bring him into contention, but whether he can fight it out in a finish remains open to debate. What is certain though, Britain has a new staying star on their heads. 

Race Five: The Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase - Class One - Three Miles - Runners: 12

The first of two premier handicaps would take place, with this chasing contest taking place over the stamina sapping three miles. This would be a test of grit and determination for all the horses involved and the race is usually viewed as a trial for next spring's Grand National at Aintree. The almighty Arkle won just the second ever running of this race back in 1966, followed by subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Cool Dawn in 1997, but in more recent times the race has gone to some course specialists such as Annsam and Regal Encore. Venetia Williams-trained Victtorino is another fan of the Berkshire venue and two of his four Ascot wins have come in this race, in 2023 and 2024. He would be strong at the finish to successfully defend his crown. Last year's race also saw The Changing Man finish a close second before going to win at Grade Two level and place in numerous high class handicap chases in 2025.

This year's contest would see Jamie Snowden's GA Law carry top weight. The nine year old has been around for what feels like an eternity, but he has been a regular fixture in these sort of events. He has struggled in some high class races, so this would be slightly easier than his distant third in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby. The talented Threeunderthrufive finished third in this race last year and Paul Nicholls's ten year old would aim for a better outing this time around. He would go close once again over course and distance in February, but was well held at Wincanton on his comeback run last month. Ben Pauling's runner Henry's Friend made a quick return to action here. The eight year old's progress stalled in the spring, but bounced back with a good win over course and distance back in November, but finished tailed off over a longer trip at Cheltenham last weekend. The defending champion of the past two years Victtorino would return once again for a hat trick attempt. Venetia Williams's seven year old loves Ascot as all of his British wins have come here, the latest in a similar contest back in February this year. Anthony Honeyball has won this race in the past with the quirky Regal Encore and would aim to do so again with the progressive Leave Of Absence. The eight year old had been largely consistent up until last time out at Cheltenham where fluffed his lines. The gelding has also previously finished second here in a Grade Two last season. The veteran Two For Gold has some very smart form lines at this course throughout the years and is still going strong at the age of nearly thirteen. The Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls-trained gelding finished down the field on his reappearance here last month. The very smart but frustrating Johnnywho holds just the one win over fences, but the Jonjo & AJ O'Neill-trained eight year old finished in the frame at Cheltenham and the Irish National last season. He would make a bold bid when fifth over the National fences at Aintree in November's Grand Sefton Chase. The sole grey in the field would be the Nicky Henderson-trained Hyland. He would enjoy a profitable novice campaign which featured a tilt at this year's Grand National and has since run respectfully in competitive handicaps during the autumn. The Tom Lacey-trained Blow Your Wad looked to be trip limited earlier in his career and his last win came eighteen months ago, but the seven year old shaped with promise on first try over this trip with a third in a similar event at this venue in November. The formerly French-trained Deep Cave looks to have been transformed by the Christian Williams stable and landed a big handicap hurdle on Grand National day at Aintree in April. He then transferred his ability to fences by winning a useful prize at Bangor last time out and looks to be going the right way. He would be joined by the eccentric Pic Roc, who is a sporadic winner, but talented on his day. He would land a first win over fences in impressive style two starts ago before posting a career best of fifth in last month's Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. The eight year old Transmission has finished third over hurdles here in the past, but the Neil Mulholland-trained gelding has spent a lot of time racing at Cheltenham of late. After winning an amateur riders' contest in 2024, he hasn't been quite at his best over longer distances recently and completed this line-up.

Winner: DEEP CAVE (Court Cave x Lady Knightess) (#10) - J. Tudor - C. Williams

This high quality handicap was expected to be tightly fought out and as the horses milled around at the start, the setting sun cast a golden glow over the Ascot grandstand. The starter dropped his flag to signify the start of the race and from the outset, Leave Of Absence went to the front but was joined by Henry's Friend. The first fence on the downhill section of the course can be tricky and so it was proven as Deep Cave, Two For Gold and Transmission all made a mistake at it and GA Law was inconvenienced by those named. As the race settled into a more natural flow, Henry's Friend dictated the pace under Ben Jones with Leave Of Absence sat on his tail. Blow Your Wad, Hyland, Threeunderthrufive and Two For Gold all came next, but the field remained tightly packed. They would pass the stands for the first time around and the crowd gave them a cheer to send them out into the country for the final time. Two For Gold and Threeunderthrufive were the two to start struggling at the bottom of the course and were pulled up once their chance had gone. Meeting the rising ground, the race began to hot up and a host of chances emerged. The favourite Pic Roc had been slowly making ground, but a bad mistake at the fourth last fence ended all realistic chance. Rounding the home bend, the race was still wide open. Leave Of Absence rose at the second last in front, but made a slight mistake. At the same fence, Blow Your Wad bulldozed his way through and his rider Sam Twiston-Davies defied gravity to stay onboard. Five horses would gallop their way towards the final fence, the leader Leave Of Absence, Johnnywho, Victtorino, Hyland and Deep Cave as the crowd volume rose higher in excitement. Leave Of Absence jumped the last with a slight lead, but up the inside rail came Deep Cave, who appeared late on the scene. Towards the centre of the course, Victtorino, Hyland and Johnnywho had their own battle for the minor placings but Deep Cave heroically nosed ahead on the line to steal the race away from Leave Of Absence. It was a thrilling finish and the first five horses were seperated by just two lengths. 

It would be a race finish to saviour and the handicapper will have been proud of his rating system producing such an exciting climax. The winner Deep Cave had been switched off and fairly anonymous throughout the race by Jack Tudor, but as the race went on, his jumping improved as did his position. Jumping the final two fences, he still didn't look like the winner, but a tight squeeze up the running rail saw him land this prestigious contest in the final strides. The seven year old may be young for a staying chaser, but he has plenty of racing experience and his trainer Christian Williams is an excellent handler of this type of horse. The son of Court Cave originally began his career in Ireland with Henry de Bromhead, winning a maiden hurdle and wasn't disgraced in graded company; most notably when fourth behind future Grand National winner Nick Rockett in 2023. Moving to France later that year, he would have a successful spell in Europe; winning over hurdles and fences before returning to the UK last season with Christian Williams. His form would gradually improve with each run over hurdles and the better ground in April saw him go from last to first in a Grade Three handicap hurdle at the Grand National festival. He won with a bit in hand that day and his progress resumed at the start of this season, this time over fences. Starting at Bangor in a useful class three contest, Deep Cave seemed to relish the soft ground and win convincingly over a good yardstick. This win completed an indifferent hat trick of victories and he firmly looks to be a Grand National-type horse for the future. 

Race Six: The Ascot Rotary Club Festive Handicap Hurdle - Class One - Two Miles - Runners: 13

The last big betting contest before Christmas would see this fast and furious handicap hurdle over the minimum distance of two miles. The gap between high end handicappers and graded performers is very small in this day and age so with the championship two mile hurdle scene looking even more cloudier, there could be a chance for a new name to make an impact in the Champion Hurdle picture at Cheltenham. Future Cross-Country Chase winner Cause Of Causes landed this race during his youth before the popular Not So Sleepy won this two years in a row before winning at Grade One level. Nicky Henderson's mare Luccia also won this in 2023 before taking third in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham so the notebooks would be at the ready for future references. Twelve months ago, the race would go to the five year old Fiercely Proud from the Ben Pauling stable. He would narrowly deny the now exciting prospect Kabral du Mathan in a driving finish. 

Heading the weights for this year's event would be the rapidly progressive Alexei for trainer Joe Tizzard. The five year old has improved out of recognition recently with a very easy win in the competitive Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham and already has Grade One aspirations further down the line. The French import Live Conti won easily on British debut for Dan Skelton and was pitched straight into Grade One company at Aintree where he excelled with a second place. This would be a tricky starting point for this season, but the four year old has plenty of quality about him. The grey five year old Sticktotheplan has been consistent and progressive this year over hurdles and landed a Grade Two at Chepstow on his debut for the Olly Murphy stable, He was below par in the same grade at Haydock next time, but remains an exciting novice hurdler. Nicky Henderson won this two years ago with a high class mare and would aim to do so again with Joyeuse. The six year old grey was a very impressive winner of the Betfair Hurdle in February, but hasn't been at her best this season following two defeats over fences so far. A young, progressive handicap hurdler would be Wilful for the Jonjo & AJ O'Neill stable. The six year old won at Ayr back in April before posting excellent efforts at Punchestown and latterly the Welsh Champion Hurdle in October. Last year's winner Fiercely Proud would return to defend his title for Ben Pauling, but not much has gone right for the gelding since his win last season. After failing to complete on his next two starts, he shaped better when fifth in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham. Another well known name in these contests would be the former County Hurdle winner Faivoir for the Dan Skelton yard. The ten year old missed a chunk of time off the track but has run well lately with a third at Cheltenham last month. Alan King's Helnwein has bumped into some useful sorts when taking placed finishes throughout this year, but chased home the runaway winner Alexei in the Greatwood Hurdle when last seen in action in November. Welsh Charger caused a small surprise by winning on Trials Day at Musselburgh back in February this year and despite his inconsistency, he would take an excellent fourth in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham for trainer Alastair Ralph. The talented youngster Wrekless Eric showed potential to win a race of this nature last season when he took second in the Imperial Cup at Sandown in March. His only other run was an average one when midfield at the Grand National meeting. The eight year old Hardy du Seuil has run to a good level over hurdles and fences throughout his career and Jamie Snowden's gelding has a good record at Sandown. Despite this, he dropped back to two miles with good effect by winning at Windsor on his recent seasonal reappearance. Another French recruit would be the classy Flat performer Mondo Man. His progress has been hampered by over exuberance but finished second on debut here in January and again on his seasonal comeback a month ago at Lingfield. Hot Fuss ran to a good level on the Flat and has run with credit so far over hurdles. Tom Dascombe's four year old finished in the frame at the Cheltenham Festival in March and looked in need of the run on his return to hurdling at Newbury a few weeks ago.

Winner: WILFUL (Westerner x Shuil Milan) (#5) - J. O'Neill Jnr - J. & AJ O'Neill 

After the drama and excitement of the previous two races, the finale would be raced under darkening skies as the winter sun descended on the horizon. With a classy lineup of two mile hurdlers, there was never going to be many hiding places and as the race got underway, Wilful and Fiercely Proud were the first two to go into the lead. They would be followed by the bright blue headgear of Hot Fuss as the warm favourite Alexei raced keenly in the opening stages. Welsh Charger would come next with Wreckless Eric who was another race with exuberance. The veteran Faivoir raced alongside the novice Sticktotheplan while Live Conti and Mondo Man were held up by their respective riders but pulled hard in the early stages. The order had remained largely the same throughout and approaching the home bend, Jonjo O'Neill Jnr began to crank up the pressure on Wilful. He would open up a length's advantage over Hot Fuss jumping the second last. Alexei had travelled very strongly into contention and jumped past Hot Fuss at the penultimate flight before setting off after Wilful. The last flight approached and a hush of anticipation filled the crowd. Wilful negotiated the final hurdle cleanly and bounded away to take a well earned success by over two lengths.  The fight for second was closer as Alexei's challenge faded away on the softened ground and was re-overtaken by Hot Fuss who took second. Back in fourth, Mondo Man was never closer than at the finish as he took home fourth, remaining winless. 
It would be the day for Wilful to show his true potential and give his stable a much needed Christmas boost. Jonjo O'Neill is a leading name in the world of National Hunt trainers, but this season has started off badly for the Cotswold based yard. His horses would under perform worryingly and the decision was made to close the yard for a few weeks and make an internal investigation. Upon their return, the yard has slowly regained some form and have a potential new star in the form of Wilful, who impressed here. The six year old had finished fourth in a similar race over two and a half miles here in January, but went on to win a good contest at Ayr's Scottish National meeting in April. After that, he would go close in a big field handicap hurdle at Punchestown where he was denied in the final stages. After a summer's break, the son of Westerner returned in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at the season opening meeting at Chepstow to take third, but the form of that race was boosted by the subsequent exploits of Alexei and Grade Two race placed Celtic Dino. This race suited his front running style and he was able to leave his rivals trailing. Next up could be a similarly valuable pot in February, the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury.