'We can't magic horses out of nowhere' - Dan Skelton unsurprised as Langer Dan one of just four declared for Long Distance Hurdle

Dan Skelton said Friday's Coral Long Distance Hurdle (3.05) attracting just four runners is the "expectation rather than a surprise" as he prepares multiple Cheltenham Festival winner Langer Dan to make his seasonal reappearance.

The race, which will be broadcast live on ITV4, has attracted a double-figure number of runners only once in the last decade and is short on numbers once again with this year's field also comprising the Liverpool Hurdle winner Strong Leader, Pertemps Final scorer Monmiral and Flight Deck.

This is the first time only four horses have lined up since Big Buck's beat Reve De Sivola, Fox Appeal and Five Dream in 2012.

Skelton, who did not declare entries Doyen Quest and Kateira for the Grade 2 event, believes the case is just another example of how the horse population has transformed in recent years and no longer correctly serves the racing calendar.

"This is a sign of the horses who are eligible to compete in these races having real chances," he said. "I can't run Doyen Quest because the ground would be too soft for him and Kateira ran earlier in the week. I'm entering and I'm doing my best but there's just a limited amount of horses.

"There's a lot of these races and the £100,000 handicap at Haydock last Saturday will have taken up a lot of runners. All the professionals have been saying for some time that the general number of quality horses are just not there compared to where they used to be. 

"This race is an expectation rather than a surprise. We can't just magic horses out of nowhere. I don't think you'll find people aren't running, especially on soft ground for decent prize-money. There are fewer horses in the system and it's reflected across the Irish Sea as there are only four in the Hatton's Grace on Sunday."

Langer Dan (centre): only narrowly beaten in the Aintree Hurdle in AprilCredit: Edward Whitaker

On the chances of Langer Dan, who won his second Coral Cup off a mark of 141 in March before two highly respectable placings to Impaire Et Passe in Graded company afterwards, he added: "He's done plenty of work. I've always maintained that he's a better horse in the spring, so we'll see. 

"The positive this year is that he competed at a much higher level in the spring than he has done before. We've started seasons before in the mid-140s whereas now he's 160, which is a very different area to be in."

Captain Teague won a walkover at Exeter earlier this month and last season's Challow winner will return to the track to make his chasing debut proper in the Grade 2 Coral John Francome Novices' Chase (1.55), in which he will face five others.

They comprise the highly touted The Jukebox Man, who was agonisingly denied in the Albert Bartlett in March, course-and-distance winner Masaccio, Johnnywho, Bugise Seagull and Boombawn.

It will be a significant day for Captain Teague's trainer Paul Nicholls, as he also takes the wraps off the dual bumper winner Regent's Stroll, who was purchased for a record-breaking £660,000 in July. 

The five-year-old is set to make his hurdling bow in the 2m½f maiden hurdle (12.15), which has been won by the likes of Buveur D'Air, Lostintranslation and Jonbon in recent years.

Read these next:

What is the state of play in an unpredictable King George now Gaelic Warrior is out? 

New jockey for Marine Nationale after Barry Connell and Michael O'Sullivan split following disagreement 

WATCH: join Johnny Dineen and David Jennings for episode three of Upping The Ante featuring an ante-post Champion Hurdle tip 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.