Champ proves a knockout for O'Neill in Long Walk Hurdle

Champ made a remarkable return to the smaller obstacles to win the Grade One Howden Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.

The nine-year-old, trained by Nicky Henderson, was last seen being pulled up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup - but showed he retained all his ability when outpointing Thyme Hill and Paisley Park in the extended three-mile showpiece.

The 4-1 chance was pulling double before the home turn with two flights left to jump and had to find extra in the closing stages as Thyme Hill put in a serious challenge.

But Jonjo O'Neill Jnr - recording a landmark first Grade One victory of his career - kept the JP McManus-owned gelding up to his work to prevail by a length and three-quarters.

Thyme Hill was runner-up for the second year running, although he reversed placings from 2020 with Paisley Park, who was three and a half lengths away in third on this occasion. Thomas Darby was fourth.

It was a bittersweet success for Henderson as he had to withdraw ante-post favourite Buzz on the eve of the race as the horse suffered a serious injury.

Champ was cut to 5-1 from 10-1 for the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival with Betfair.

Henderson said: "We have got to decide which way we will go. He can go either way (fences or hurdles).

"He is still a Gold Cup horse, but he is still capable of winning a Stayers' Hurdle. So there is a big decision that we don't have to make today.

"It is great for JP, it's great for everyone - there is a lot to look forward to and we have to take these horses on and take them to where they belong.

"It is lovely to see him back and getting horses back when they have problems is our job and when that comes to fruition, from the team's point of view it is a terrific effort. Our team at home, to get him back - it was lovely to watch the horse enjoy himself like that. We can go either way with him now.

"He has to go left-handed over fences, (but) as you can see over hurdles he can go left or right."

Of opting to return in the Long Walk, he added: "There was nowhere to go, it seemed the obvious thing to do to give him a run over hurdles for his own good, for his own confidence."

A jubilant O'Neill said: "It's my first Grade One, I'll remember this!

"As a young boy it's what you want to do, ride a Grade One winner at Ascot. To do it for Nicky, JP and on a horse like Champ - it doesn't get much better. The adrenaline is through the roof.

"Nicky said not to disappoint him, I was in front too but he's won an RSA and has plenty of stamina. When Tom (O'Brien, on Thyme Hill) came to me he went again.

"He's a great horse. He only really had one run last year and Nicky has done a tremendous job with him.

"I've had three bad injuries this year and it's been slow to get going, but it only takes one horse to get you back. I'm very thankful to Nicky and JP for putting me on him."

Tritonic returned to the scene of his first success over jumps last season to land the valuable Betfair Exchange Trophy Handicap Hurdle.

The four-year-old, trained by Alan King, confirmed the promise of his early days over the smaller obstacles that included victory in the Grade Two Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton in February with a sterling display in a highly-competitive event.

Global Citizen and No Ordinary Joe set a strong gallop from the start and there were plenty in with chances as the field turned for home with two flights left.

Adrian Heskin produced Tritonic (8-1) to strike the front and hold the challenge of Onemorefortheroad by two and three-quarter lengths. Garry Clermont was half a length away in third place.

King said: “The Greatwood Hurdle probably manned him up a bit – he has never been as quick in his life over hurdles. Clearly he has come forward for it.

“I did hope he would run well, but it is just not a race four-year-olds win. He was just so much sharper over his hurdles than he was at Cheltenham and I read this morning that he might not be a Cheltenham horse and they might be right because twice he has really disappointed. Maybe he is a better horse around here.

“I would imagine he will go to the Schweppes – or the Betfair Hurdle as I think it is called.”

Heskin said: “Kempton was the blow away (moment) last year and then he went to Cheltenham and let us down a little bit. Each time we have gone to Cheltenham we thought he hasn’t handled it, but we were really looking forward to getting him back on this track.

“They went a strong gallop early and I was flat to the boards until the second-last when he came back on the bridle. He is a very smart horse – to do that as a four-year-old was very impressive.

“We had a plan and we changed our plan as we came into the parade ring and I’m glad we did as I was able to ride him with a bit more free reign and ride him as cool as ice. I knew they would go very hard and you can’t keep the gallop going.

“I didn’t expect him to pick up like that though!”