WITH time on his side and improvement to come, Long Run could well go through this season unbeaten. He has already proved himself a champion.
However, he might be vulnerable on his first outing of the campaign. He was beaten into third place on his reappearance at Cheltenham last term in the Paddy Power Gold Cup before showing his class by winning the King George and Gold Cup.
On official ratings there can be only one winner – Long Run – and, not surprisingly, he is odds-on to make a winning return in the Betfair Chase at Haydock today. While this is a top-class event in its own right, the King George at Kempton is his first main target and Nicky Henderson will have left something to work on.
He will probably still be good enough to dispose of the opposition at level weights, but I think he is worth opposing with Diamond Harry. His record shows he is likely to be at his best first time and has won on his seasonal bow for the last five seasons.
When he landed the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury almost a year ago, it was only his fourth start over fences. He wasn’t seen again last winter after a ligament injury ruled him out of the Gold Cup.
Diamond Harry was due to make his comeback in the Charlie Hall Chase but he got cast in his box and banged a leg.
In his absence, Weird Al beat Time For Rupert, but the Wetherby form doesn’t look that convincing and neither looks a future Gold Cup winner. Paul Nicholls reports that Kauto Star is as fit as he has ever been for his first outing of a campaign as he attempts to win the prize for a fourth time. However, he is not getting any younger and we have certainly seen the best of him.
The champion trainer has an interesting runner in the Listen To Timeform Radio Handicap Hurdle in French import Indian Daudaie, who took a while to acclimatize but ran well in good races at Leopardstown and the Cheltenham Festival last season.
Nicholls thought about going chasing with him but reckons there is a nice handicap hurdle in him and this could well be it. He carries the colours of the Timeform Betfair Racing Club whose company sponsor the Haydock card.
Much as I respect the horse, I am siding with Attaglance, who has taken time to learn to settle but impressed with his jumping when scoring at Carlisle last month and can defy an 8lb rise in this higher grade. He will make a chaser one day.
Eyre Square was no match for Morning Moment at Haydock last time, trying to give the winner 7lb, but he looks an out-and-out-stayer and the extra half mile of the timeform.betfair.com On Your Smartphone Handicap Chase should play to his strengths.
I admit to being concerned at the presence of Neptune Equester, who turned in a remarkable effort at Market Rasen in September when staying on to take third behind Eyre Square’s stablemate Benny Be Good.
Off the bridle a long way out and seemingly going nowhere over an inadequate trip on quick ground, he stuck to his task most gamely and did well to make the frame. He has another six furlongs to cover here which will suit and, though he would prefer an easier surface, he commands respect and is one to keep on side for staying chases this winter, especially when the mud is flying.
Gansey was given too much to do on his return from a summer break when third to Hector’s Choice at Aintree last month. He would have got closer but for a mistake three out but wouldn’t have won.
It was still an encouraging first run of the season and he will benefit from the step up to three miles in the Betfair Multiples Handicap Chase. He will take all the beating and any rain will further enhance his claims.
After two placed efforts over hurdles, Getmeoutthedoldrums switches to fences on his handicap debut in the totepool Chase at Huntingdon and a big run is expected by his trainer Charlie Longsden.
