Long Run On Target For Betfair Chase Reappearance

The 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run looks set to make his eagerly awaited seasonal return in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock Park on November 24 and appears in a high-class list of 19 possible contenders at the first declaration stage for the feature three-mile contest, writes Elliot Slater.

The Nicky Henderson-trained star failed to follow up his biggest success in a slightly disappointing series of runs last season but still took high rank amongst the best horses in division. The revitalised Kauto Star (now retired), proved too much of a handful for Sam Waley-Cohen’s mount in both the Betfair Chase and the King George VI Chase at Kempton last Boxing Day, but he was far from disgraced in finishing a close third to the ill-fated Synchronised when attempting to defend his crown in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last March.

Connections believe that time is still very much on Long Run’s side and the seven-year-old has been giving all the right signals ahead of his first outing of the new campaign. The Betfair chase odds also suggest that the gelded son of Cadoudal has a big chance once again in the blue riband event

Henderson’s charge is a top priced 8/1 at www.betfair.com behind current ante-post favourite Sir Des Champs (6/1).

Henderson may also be represented by Bob’s Worth and Burton Port in the Betfair Chase, a race that promises to really set the season alight with other top-notchers such as Grand Crus, Siviniaco Conti, Al Ferof, and Cue Card amongst a very strong initial entry for the coveted contest that will shed plenty of light on just which horses are on an upward curve and set to bid for top honours this season.