Crambo claims a second Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot

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.

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.

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

"It’s been a tough time, horses haven’t been firing and we’ve had a change of jockey. We’ve been getting it from all angles," said O’Brien.

"The horses haven’t been quite right but the winning of this race was not running at Newbury, I knew we could get him better. I knew he likes the track here.

"If we were going to see the old Crambo, the best place to come was here. I couldn’t do it