Long Run to face strong opposition in King George VI Chase at Kempton
The last race of the twelve-year-old, Kauto Star before the retirement was the Grade 1 Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase from which he was pulled up on 16th March, 2012 at Cheltenham race course. The race was won by, Synchronised. Nicky Henderson’s favourite entry for the race, Long Run, ended third behind the runner-up, The Giant Bolster.
With the retirement of the legend who had won the Grade 1 King George VI Chase five times during the career, the avenues for winning the spectacle are wide open for the Nicky Henderson trained, Long Run.
The Robert Waley-Cohen owned won the 2011 edition of the race. The lucky trainer had the first two positions filled in by his own entries as Riverside Theatre picked up the runner-up’s honours.
Ending third was the most popular entry of the race, Kauto Star.
Long Run has the biggest threat this year in form of his own stable mate, Riverside Theatre. The 2011 champion of the race stands as the favourite supported by 4-1 odds for settling the race in his favour.
For the eight-year-old bay gelding, Riverside Theatre, the race will be the opening of the 2012 campaign as the last that he raced was in Grade 1 Betfred Bowl Chase on 12th April, 2012 at Aintree. He was pulled up as Follow The Plan became the first one to jump over the nineteen fences.
Besides his own stable, the arch rival, Paul Nicholls, of course has some ground secured with his best only. The duo that he has launched includes Al Ferof and Kauto Stone.
The opposing trainer commented:
"I'm very pleased with both," said Nicholls. "Al Ferof has not been three miles yet but the way he stayed on up the hill to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup shows it shouldn't be a problem. They'll both go on any ground."
Nicky Henderson stated:
"It's possible that winning the Gold Cup so soon, as a six-year-old, has taken a h**l of a lot out of him. And I suspect two hard races early last season came home to roost in last season's Gold Cup. I was down at the yard on Saturday and saw him on the gallops. He looks in great order."
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