Haydock winner Diamond Harry may take on World Hurdle hero Big Buck’s in Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot

Dec 15 2009 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

DIAMOND HARRY may take on last year’s World Hurdle hero Big Buck’s in what could be a fascinating BGC Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday.

Diamond Harry won a Grade One contest as a novice and defied top weight in a eye-catching performance in Haydock’s Timeform Betfair Racing Club “Fixed Brush” Handicap Hurdle on his seasonal return last month, tempting connections to stay over timber rather than go over the larger obstacles.

Both he and Paul Nicholls Big Buck’s – who was even more impressive when making a winning seasonal return in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury – were among the 11 entries for the Grade Two.

Alan King has left in both Karabak, second to Zaynar in last month’s Coral Ascot Hurdle, as well as 2008 Champion Hurdle hero Katchit.

Ascot specialist Lough Derg won this contest in 2007 could also run again for David Pipe, while the in-form Nicky Henderson team could saddle Sentry Duty.

West Yorkshire Hurdle winner Fair Along and Donald McCain’s talented mare Whiteoak are other interesting contenders.

Kayf Aramis, Viper and Sweetheart complete the line-up.

Big Buck’s is a best-priced 8-15 with Blue Square, but is as low as 4-9 with Victor Chandler. Diamond Harry is a best-priced second favourite at 100-30 with the Victor Chandler and their spokesman Neal Wilkins said: “If Big Buck’s is in the same form as he was at Newbury on Hennessy day he will take all the beating on Saturday, although Diamond Harry was mightily impressive when scoring at Haydock.”

Meanwhile Evan Williams is seriously considering a tilt at the William Hill King George VI Chase for his improving chaser Deep Purple.

Deep Purple was a convincing winner of the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last week – a performance that meant Paul Green’s gelding is now a best-priced 14-1 with William Hill, Stan James and Blue Square for the Boxing Day feature at Kempton behind the odds-on favourite Kauto Star, who will bid for a fourth straight victory in the Grade One contest.

Williams said: “I have to admit to being a bit taken aback the way he did it. I thought it was a massive step up on his Charlie Hall run.

“There were a few people crabbing it saying the race fell apart, but I don’t know what else the poor old horse can do. Whatever he does he seems to come in for a bit of criticism, but he’s absolutely fine and I’m over the moon with the performance. He beat some good yardsticks and was giving Tartak 10lb.

“I’m not going to definitely commit to the King George because I want the dust to settle. Of course we are going to look at it and it will come under strong consideration.

“A King George is another step up and I’ve been on the receiving end of mighty beatings from Kauto Star, Denman and the like. I realise how magnificent those animals are. They are a step above and are greats.

“It is intimidating but our horse keeps raising the bar.”

TODAY’S NAP: Barton Sun (2.50pm Catterick).