LAMBOURN trainer Nicky Henderson look set to be double-handed in the £100,000 JLT Reve De Sivola Long Walk Hurdle (2.25) at Ascot on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

Thomas Campbell, the mount of Nico de Boinville, is seeking hat-trick following wins at Cheltenham in October and November, looking particularly impressive in the latter over at extended three miles and a furlong.

L’Ami Serge returns to the track, having finished second to Lil Rockerfeller in the Coral Ascot Hurdle last month, having previously won a Grade 1 contest in France last June.

He will be up against Lil Rockerfeller again this weekend, with Neil King’s six year old bidding to go one better than last year.

The 2016 winner, Unowhatimeanharry, is looking to retain his crown and Harry Fry’s highly consistent nine-year-old is likely to go off favourite, having finished in the first two in 11 of his last 12 outings.

North Yorkshire trainer Jedd O’Keefe is sending down Sam Spinner, who cruised to a very impressive 17-length success in the Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle over two miles and seven furlongs at Haydock Park on November 25.

The eight entries also include the Tom George-trained The Worlds End, owned by Sonning businessman Max McNeill and members of his family.

Bracknell News:

Lambourn trainer, Nicky Henderson. Picture: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images.

JLT have recently extended their sponsorship of the Long Walk Hurdle for a further three years and this week’s race will be run in honour of the late Reve De Sivola, who ran in the contest for five consecutive years from 2012 to 2016, winning in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

There is also £150,000 up for grabs in the Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle (3.35) , a Grade 3 contest over two miles and £100,000 in the Lavazza Silver Cup, a Grade 3 handicap chase held over three miles.

Among the 20 runners set to go to post in the Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle is Elgin owned by the Elite Racing Club, who are enjoying a tremendous season.

Alan King’s five-year-old is seeking a hat-trick of wins in big-race handicap hurdles, having landed the Listed William Hill Handicap Hurdle over the course and distance on November 4 followed by the G3 Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham two weeks later.

Ireland trainers have landed the Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle twice since it was first run at Ascot in 2001, with both of those winners trained by Gordon Elliott - Cause Of Causes (2012) and Bayan (2014).

This time he is sending over Veinard Ireland’s champion Jump trainer Willie Mullins will rely on Bleu Et Rouge, having taken out his other three original entries.

Henderson is the most successful trainer in the Racing Welfare Hurdle with four victories, including Brain Power last year. He will be looking to follow up with Charli Parcs, runner-up in a Listed contest at Newbury earlier this month, and Verdana Blue, who scored over the course and distance last month.

Saturday’s six-race card gets under way at 12.40pm and is a designated family day with children under 18 admitted for free.

Ascot also races today (Friday), starting at 12.45pm.