Pulse and Tornado head Irish Power bid
Catch Me also represents Ireland, running out of last year’s winning stable of Edward O’Grady while Noel Glynn’s Gonebeyondrecall also runs.
McManus’ silks will also be carried by Jonjo O’Neill’s Can’t Buy Time and Sunnyhillboy.
Owner Andy Stewart believes Long Run will have to win Gold Cup if he is going to be up to scoring at the highest level this season.
Stewart’s famous colours will be carried by top-weight Poquelin, who was second in the race 12 months ago, as well as Gwanako in Cheltenham’s weekend feature.
Nicky Henderson’s Long Run has been all the rage for the first major handicap chase of the season and many have him down as a possible challenger for top honours this season.
He is notably second-favourite behind Kauto Star in the betting for the King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day – but Stewart is of the view he has to improve hugely to challenge the four-time winner.
“If Long Run is going to be a Grade One horse, firstly he has to jump properly, and secondly, off a mark of 158, he should be able to go and win the Paddy Power easily,” said Stewart.
“We’ve done him a favour keeping Poquelin in because otherwise the weights would have gone up 6lb and that could make the difference.
“If they think this horse is going to win a King George and give Kauto Star a run for his money, he has got to be winning this and the same goes for the Ryanair Chase or the Gold Cup.
“You need a horse rated 175/180 to be winning the King George.”
Nigel Twiston-Davies has three interesting contenders in Little Josh, Pigeon Island and Roy Boy.
A maximum field of 20 runners are set to go to post , with Henderson also saddling Aintree winner Mad Max, ridden by Barry Geraghty.
Paul Nicholls, still searching for his first win in the race, will also be represented by Tchico Polos.
Bob Buckler’s The Sawyer has been the subject of market support in recent days while David Pipe’s Festival winner Great Endeavour is another to have been strong in the ante-post market.
