TOI WALKS THE WALK

IMPOSE TOI completed his ascent to the top of the stayers' summit with a first Grade One success in Ascot's Howden Long Walk Hurdle.

- BY DAVID YATES

The Nicky Henderson-saddled seven-year-old had marked his first foray outside handicap company to beat Strong Leader in the Grade Two Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last month.

Half a length had separated the pair that day, but Impose Toi underlined his progress by extending the winning margin to a length and a quarter under Nico de Boinville, despite meeting his rival on 6lb worse terms.

Honesty Policy, the 11-4 favourite and like Impose Toi carrying the silks of JP McManus, took third place a neck away.

Ladbrokes cut Impose Toi to 5-1 for the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and second that year and in '79 [both with Jack Of Trumps] but I haven't got our nose in front since.