 |
|
|
|
|
Betfair Chase 2011 |
Long Run and Kauto Star in Betfair Chase
14/11/11
King George and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run is the headline act among eight remaining entries for a star-studded Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.
 |
Nicky Henderson's six-year-old bounced back from being beaten in last year's BetVictor Gold Cup to win the two most prestigious steeplechases in the National Hunt calendar.
The David Pipe-trained Grands Crus, impressive winner at Cheltenham on Friday, has been taken out, but Kauto Star remains on course to go head to head with Long Run.
Paul Nicholls' racing legend went nicely in a racecourse gallop at Exeter recently to delay any retirement talk.
The dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner hasn't raced since pulling up at the Punchestown Festival in May but his trainer feels the veteran is capable of running a big race.
"He's going to love this dry forecast for the week. He's in great shape and he does look amazing and he's been working really well," said Nicholls.
"I've just got a feeling he'll run a really big race. We're looking forward to it, Clive (Smith, owner) is looking forward to it and hopefully everyone else is."
 |
Diamond Harry won the Hennessy Gold Cup last season but has not been seen since.
Trained in Devon by Nick Williams, the eight-year-old is notoriously fragile, and was forced to miss his intended seasonal reappearance, in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, at the 11th hour.
The first two home at Wetherby, Weird Al and Time For Rupert, are due to lock horns again, while Tom George will be hoping for good ground for Nacarat.
Peter Bowen has left in Pure Faith, who ran so well behind Albertas Run in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree.
The sole Irish raider is the Robbie Hennessy-trained Rubi Light, who was in the process of giving Sizing Europe a sound beating before falling at the last at Gowran. He was remounted to finish third.
