Legendary stayer Big Buck’s will face six rivals as he bids to stretch his unbeaten run over timber to 14 in the Lough Derg Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot tomorrow.

Paul Nicholls’ eight-year-old has not tasted defeat since the Hennessy Gold Cup of 2008 and has seen off all pretenders to his crown.

Nicholls had also entered Celestial Halo, owned, like Big Buck’s, by Andy Stewart, but he will not take part.

Stablemate Five Dream, who chased home Big Buck’s in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, will instead represent the Ditcheat stable.

Big Buck’s has won the last two renewals of the Long Walk, but they have both been run at Newbury.

David Pipe would love nothing better than to claim the race named in honour of one of his former stable stars and saddles Dynaste.

Although this represents a step up in class, he was mightily impressive over fixed-brush hurdles at Haydock last time out.

Sparky May was only fourth behind Big Buck’s at Newbury but is entitled to come on for that and will be fledgling trainer Keiran Burke’s first runner in a Grade One race.

Pettifour has returned from a long absence to show all of his ability remains intact, while Jennie Candlish has decided to switch Cross Kennon back over smaller obstacles after he was beaten on two chase starts in November.

Another making a return to hurdles is Restless Harry, who hacked up in a Grade Two at Wetherby first time out this season before twice meeting with defeat over fences.

David Bridgwater will consider a trip to Kempton in February for The Giant Bolster after he finished second to Time For Rupert at Newbury on Wednesday.

The six-year-old has endured mixed fortunes since being sent over fences but showed his engine remains intact when going down by under two lengths at level weights to Paul Webber’s star.

Bridgwater is keen not to over-race him this season and hopes to be rewarded with a big prize somewhere down the line.

“It was another clear round and though he was scratchy at a couple at least he’s going in and popping,” said Bridgwater.

“Everybody was happy yesterday. Mr Webber was happy, I was happy so the job’s a good ‘un.

“He’s still only a baby. If he’s still enjoying the game in three years he’ll be twice the horse he is now.” Tweet