Long Walk switched to Newbury

NEWBURY will benefit from Ascot’s downfall by staging the Long Walk Hurdle as part of a bumper eight-race card on December 29.

Ascot were forced to abandon their scheduled meetings for yesterday and today due to snow, but British Horseracing Authority officials have moved quickly to save the Grade One contest.

The race will now be run with a total prize fund of £70,000 and the 11 horses previously engaged at the five-day confirmation stage will be carried forward to Newbury.