Henderson double-handed in Long Walk The BGC Long Walk Hurdle is one of the key races of the season for staying hurdlers, and a strong line-up of 11 were declared this morning for Saturday's Grade 1 Ascot race including the Nicky Henderson-trained pair Duc De Regniere and Punchestowns. Henderson had hoped to keep the pair apart until later in the season but the abandonment of the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham last weekend has forced his hand. The Seven Barrows handler will now step Punchestowns up to three miles for the first time and pitch him against Duc De Regniere, an impressive winner of the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last month. Alan King's Blazing Bailey, a Grade One winner at the Punchestown Festival in April, finished only fourth in that Newbury race but enjoys an 8lb pull on this occasion. Barry Geraghty gets the leg-up on Punchestowns, while Tony McCoy takes the ride on Duc De Regniere. Also engaged is Nigel Twiston-Davies' Pettifour, winner of the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby, where he beat Mobaasher. The pair meet again after Mobaasher finished marginally in front of him at Newbury but is now 4lb worse off. Mobaasher will be ridden by Ruby Walsh, while Paul Nicholls' other runner Elusive Dream is the mount of Sam Thomas. One Gulp, Hills Of Aran, Serabad, last year's winner Lough Derg and German raider Atamane complete the 11-runner field. Faasel, No Refuge and Franchoek were all withdrawn at this morning's confirmation stage.
