Long all set for Betfair Denman Chase run

Posted on | February 9, 2012 | No Comments

Nicky Henderson has his fingers firmly crossed that Saturday’s high profile meeting at Newbury will survive the wintry weather and allow his brilliant Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run to have his intended prep race in the Betfair Denman Chase, writes Elliot Slater.

The four-and-a-half week gap between the Newbury contest and the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 16 is perfect for the Robert Waley-Cohen-owned gelding, who set the racing world alight last season with outstanding performances in both the King George VI Chase at Kempton and then when beating both Denman and Kauto Star in one of the best renewals of the Gold Cup for many a long year. Those following the best Cheltenham Gold Cup betting online need to remember this.

This season Long Run has twice had to settle for second place behind the remarkable veteran Kauto Star, whose resurgence as a serious contender for honours in the top Grade 1 three-mile events has lit up the National Hunt racing scene and thrown down the gauntlet to the five-years younger Long Run in a campaign that was expected to be more of a regal procession. After failing by eight-lengths to peg back the former champion at Haydock in November, Long Run again came up short when losing out by just over a length in a stunning renewal of the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, but bookmakers still favour Henderson’s charge who they feel will be better suited by the extra two furlongs and the stiffer track at Cheltenham.

Should the Betfair Denman Chase fall victim to the weather then alternative engagements are very thin on the ground and the likelihood would be that, like Kauto Star, Long Run will have to go to the Gold Cup without a prep race leaving all the work to be done at home on the training gallops. A general 9/4 favourite to retain his crown at Cheltenham, bookies reckon that Long Run once again has most to fear from dual previous winner Kauto Star, currently offered at a top price of 4/1.

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3. Divers primed to make a splash in big Cheltenham handicap chase
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5. Poquelin bang on target for RSA Chase challenge

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