Long Run bounced back to winning ways with a battling performance in the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury on Saturday. (credit: Carine06)
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Long Run bounced back to form with a battling performance in the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury on Friday.
The 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero jumped well throughout the contest and despite having to give weight to all of his rivals, Nicky Henderson’s stable star managed to hold off stablemate Burton Port for a pleasing victory.
After being sent off the 4/7 favourite, Long Run travelled well under the hands of jockey Sam Waley-Cohen and despite idling in front a little but, he managed to win by half a length ahead of his trip to Cheltenham next month.
Delighted winning jockey Waley-Cohen explained: "That was just what we wanted. "I was really pleased with his jumping. He was a little careless with the water, but apart from that he's jumped really well. You couldn't ask for more from a seasoned chaser.
"That is exactly the confidence boost you want to go to the Gold Cup with. We took the earplugs out but I'm not sure that made a big difference.
"In a funny way, he felt like a different horse altogether today. In the paddock he was more alert and looking more up for it and he's just gone out there and done it really well.
"We went a right good gallop and, if anything, I think we've learnt how to set him up for a fence when you are going that big quicker."
Meanwhile, Nicky Henderson explained: "Sam said there was loads there and he was enjoying himself. "He jumped great and he's taken him there tanking on the bit.
"He was much more fluent today. This horse has been amazing for us all.
"He will run in the Gold Cup as well and he's been working completely differently to two years ago. He's a stone better than he ever was before."
