Stars looking likely for Leopardstown Ruby Walsh expects Thousand Stars to sidestep the JLT Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday and instead make an appearance at Leopardstown over Christmas. The admirable grey produced a resurgent display to deny the Nick Williams-trained Aubusson in a pulsating climax to the Grand Prix d'Automne Auteuil last month, the dual French Champion Hurdle winner's fifth success at the Paris circuit. Willie Mullins' charge featured among nine horses confirmed for this weekend's feature event on Monday, but the stable jockey sees the Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle on December 28 as a more obvious target. "I think he's more likely to run at Leopardstown instead," Walsh told Racing UK. "The Long Walk looks very competitive this year, more so than in recent years - there's Thistlecrack, Saphir Du Rheu and Reve De Sivola. "Leopardstown is only 45 minutes away so I think it makes more sense to run him there."
