Nico de Boinville rides a blinder as Impose Toi fulfils potential by landing Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot
Nico de Boinville riding Impose Toi (green/gold, white cap) clear the last to win The Howden Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot(Image: Getty Images)
IMPOSE TOI completed his ascent to the top of the stayers’ summit with a first Grade 1 success in the Howden Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.
The Nicky Henderson-saddled seven-year-old had marked his first foray outside handicap company to beat Strong Leader in the Grade Two Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last month.
Half a length had separated the pair that day, but Impose Toi underlined his progress by extending the winning margin to a length and a quarter under Nico de Boinville, despite meeting his rival on 6lb worse terms.
Honesty Policy, the 11-4 favourite and like Impose Toi carrying the silks of JP McManus, took third place a neck away.
Ladbrokes cut Impose Toi to 5-1 for the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and Henderson enthused: “From my point of view it was quite pleasurable to watch.
“When you see him going that well turning into the straight, you knew Nico had got them covered.
“Then you have got to execute but he was pretty flawless, you have got to say.
“If a horse finishes behind him at home you want to start worrying – it must be very moderate, as he does nothing!
“We were 6lb different to Newbury, so he had to improve. I feel sorry for Strong Leader, who is an admirable horse – we have nailed him twice and, if anything, I think we looked more convincing today.”
The result was the perfect start to the Christmas festivities for McManus, whose Fact To File will bid to give the 74-year-old a very first victory in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
“I’d love to win the King George,” admitted McManus. “I’ve been trying since 1978 and was second that year and in ’79 (both with Jack Of Trumps) but I haven’t managed to get our nose in front since.
“Willie (Mullins) seems to be very happy to go and I’m very happy to go. All arrows are pointing to Kempton.”
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