Impose Toi steps up for Long Walk win

Impose Toi continued his progression with a determined display to win the Howden Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.

Trained by Nicky Henderson, the seven-year-old had his first run this season in handicap company at Aintree but he took a step forward last time out.

Up against Strong Leader, arguably the best staying hurdler in the UK, he came out on top but was meeting Olly Murphy’s stalwart on 6lb worse terms.

It was Strong Leader, proving he can act to a high level on right-handed tracks, who took over when the race began in earnest but the JP McManus-owned pair of Impose Toi and Honesty Policy were travelling noticeably better.

Strong Leader was not stopping, though, and Nico de Boinville had to get serious with the Impose Toi (3-1) and he began to go clear as Honesty Policy, having his first run of the season, began to falter.

Impose Toi was kept up to his work to win by a length and a quarter from Strong Leader with Honesty Policy running on again a neck away in third.