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Crambo repeated his victory of last year when grimly holding on to win a second Howden Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.
Since his victory in the race 12 months ago, his career had been in danger of coming off the rails, having disappointed at Cheltenham and Aintree.
Trainer Fergal O’Brien had wanted him to reappear at Newbury last month but he was not quite right, so it meant that he was having to take on race-fit rivals in a Grade One on his seasonal return.
Sent off at 9-1, Crambo had plenty to do jumping the second last before his stamina kicked in.
Back-to-back wins for CRAMBO as he defends his title in The Howden Long Walk Hurdle Race! A thrilling contest with a photo finish!@JohnnyBurke2 / @FOBRacing #Ascot #HorseRacing pic.twitter.com/gqPkVWd8WS
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) December 21, 2024
The race had been taken along by Beauport, better known as a chaser, and as he was given such an easy lead, at the second-last flight it appeared he had slipped the field.
He was still in front jumping the last, but perhaps cleared that obstacle just a bit big, which gave Crambo the chance to draw upsides.
Once Johnny Burke had mastered him, there was a new danger, as Henry de Bromhead’s Hiddenvalley Lake put down the final challenge, but he just failed by a head. Beauport stuck on for third, with The Wallpark fourth.
The favourite Strong Leader was one of the first beaten and never looked like winning.
