Mighty Man battles to Ascot win

Mighty Man and Richard Johnson lead over the last

Mighty Man had to fight hard to claim the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.

The 8-11 favourite just headed outsider Temoin at the last hurdle of the 3m 1f contest and Richard Johnson had to work hard to keep Mighty Man in front.

The Henry Daly-trained gelding then held off the fast-finishing 50-1 shot Lough Derg for a narrow win.

Daly said after the race that the horse might not run before the Cheltenham Festival, where he is set to run in the World Hurdle.

"He is better on good ground and found that a bit difficult so I am praying that Cheltenham don't turn the taps on," said Daly.

It was the first Grade One victory of Mighty Man's career.

Earlier, Acambo claimed the valuable Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle to give the Pipe stable their third consecutive win in the two-mile race.

Timmy Murphy gave the five-year-old Acambo a quiet ride around before hitting the front in the home straight.

Despite a mistake at the last hurdle, the grey held off Tarlac for victory with Victram third and Pilca in fourth.

It was a first win in the race for trainer David Pipe, who took over from father Martin earlier this year.

Acambo's odds for the Champion Hurdle have been cut but he could be aimed at the Arkle Trophy.

---

BGC Long Walk Hurdle
Ascot, 3m 1f
1 Mighty Man (R Johnson) 8-11f
2 Lough Derg (T Scudamore) 50-1
3Temoin (M Fitzgerald) 33-1
Nine ran. Dist: 1¼, 1.

Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle
Ascot, 2m
1 Acambo (T Murphy) 7-1
2 Tarlac (A McCoy) 11-2
3Victram (A Lynch) 12-1
4 Pilca (W Kavanagh) 14-1
20 ran. Dist: 2, 4.