Johnson Has Mighty Chance

Richard Johnson believes his mount Mighty Man is 'the one to beat' in the feature BGC Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot tomorrow.

Henry Daly's smart stayer is the hot favourite to land his first win of the campaign following his encouraging effort behind Hardy Eustace last month.

The six-year-old was beaten 11 lengths by the dual Champion Hurdle hero over two miles, three and a half furlongs at the Berkshire track, while this Grade One contest is over an extended three miles.

'He improved with every run last year and he had a good run over two and a half miles at Ascot the other day behind Hardy Eustace, who has come out and run very well since,' Johnson told At The Races.

'He's in good form and we hope they don't get too much rain as he likes good ground.

'They're calling it mainly good ground at the moment and if it stays like that he's got every chance. Hopefully, he'll be the one to beat.'

Lough Derg was 10 lengths behind Mighty Man in third place in that Ascot heat and his rider Tom Scudamore believes David Pipe's charge will also be suited by the longer distance.

'First time out this season he ran a nice race behind Hardy Eustace. It was two miles three and it's three miles plus tomorrow which will suit him,' said Scudamore.

'It will be hard to turn the tables on Mighty Man, but we'll try our best. I think he's got a decent each-way chance.

'It was a good race at Ascot and won by a proper horse (Hardy Eustace). He's a Champion Hurdle winner and Mighty Man is also a very good horse.'

Tony McCoy takes on Mighty Man with Jonjo O'Neill's Fire Dragon, who beat the favourite in the Cleeve Hurdle at Sandown last season.

'He did really well last season and ran some great races,' said McCoy.

'We beat Mighty Man at Sandown but I think we got the run of the race that day and Mighty man was unlucky.

'My lad is consistent, but even though Mighty Man is a short price I wouldn't mind riding him!'

BGC Long Walk Hurdle, William Hill bet: Evens Mighty Man, 11-4 Neptune Collonges, 10-1 Blazing Bailey, Irish Wolf, 14-1 Fire Dragon, Jazz d'Estruval, 20-1 Lough Derg, No Refuge, 25-1 Redemption, 28-1 Temoin.

(C) PA Sport