Nicky Henderson outlines future plans for Long Run
Highlighting the exhausting nature of the William Hill King George VI Chase, Nicky Henderson admitted that Long Run would take time to regain full energy. He mapped out future plans for the 7-year-old, saying that last year’s Gold Cup hero will have his
prep race on the second Saturday of February, when taking part in the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury.
It was certainly not an easy win for Long Run in the Boxing Day Grade 1 event at Kempton. On heavy three miles, the 15-8 favourite had to work really hard to bag the top prize. He did not enjoy even a moment of relaxation, as Captain Chris kept him under
pressure throughout.
Under Mr S. Waley-Cohen, he railed quite nicely under massive pressure, and led the final strides. Consequently, he grabbed the top place by a neck’s distance. It was indeed a gruelling outing, and the handler kept this thing in mind while making future
plans.
"That's why Newbury [rather than Cheltenham's Argento Chase] is a better race for him. It gives him another fortnight following the King George. He will tell us. Of course he had a hard race. I'd be mindful how much that takes out of him,” said Henderson.
"I would like to go for the Argento Chase with Bobs Worth as he loves Cheltenham and it gives him a little more time before the Gold Cup, which is helpful as he wants space between his races. We can then take the same route with Long Run as last season and
go to Newbury in February," he added.
Although Henderson enjoyed success with Long Run, he was disappointed over Riverside Theatre’s below-par effort in the William Hill King George VI Chase. The Jimmy Nesbitt Partnership-owned, who won several big meetings last season, could not do anything
special on his seasonal comeback.
Under Barry Geraghty, the 8-year-old was carrying the odds of 6 to 1. After tracking the leaders, he lost pace at the ninth fence, and was well in the rear afterwards. The son of King´s Theatre tailed off and as a result, ended up sixth on the table.
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