Nicky Henderson set to launch three-pronged attack on Long Walk Hurdle

Nicky Henderson will be three-handed in Saturday's Grade 1 JLT Hurdle – registered as the Long Walk Hurdle –with Call Me Lord, Soul Emotion and Top Notch each set to take their chance at Ascot.

Call Me Lord, who has yet to run this season, also held an entry in the Grade 3 Betfair Exchange Trophy Handicap Hurdle to conclude Ascot's card but would have had to give an excess of 12lb to his rivals off a mark of 160.

Henderson said: "We've decided that Call Me Lord, Soul Emotion and Top Notch will take each other on in the Long Walk Hurdle. Call Me Lord was very progressive last season and we know that Top Notch loves Ascot."

Call Me Lord: set to take on stablemates Top Notch and Soul Emotion in the Long Walk HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

The last Grade 1 before Christmas is shaping up to be a deeper field than might have been anticipated and Harry Fry could also be responsible for three, with Unowhatimeanharry, Momella and If The Cap Fits still holding entries.

Last year's winner Sam Spinner is another likely representative for Jedd O'Keeffe. He was ultra impressive when fending off the challenge of L'Ami Serge last season, but will need to bounce back from a disappointing effort when unseating Joe Colliver when beaten in last month's Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.

With Call Me Lord set to tackle the feature Grade 1, Henderson is left with two JP McManus-trained runners in the closing handicap hurdle – Charlie Parcs and Apple's Shakira – although the latter is seemingly more likely to run at this stage according to the trainer.

"Obviously JP McManus owns both and I'd say that Apple's Shakira has a greater possibility to go than Charli Parcs," he said.

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