Play it again SAM
Trained by Nicky Henderson, he was given the drive of a lifetime by Sam Waley-Cohen, who is the first amateur since Jim Wilson scored on Little Owl In 1981 to win the biggest prize in National Hunt racing.
This was final confirmation of the changing of the guard at the top of the chasing tree. A contest which housed three previous Gold Cup winners, Kauto Star (twice), Denman and Imperial Commander, was blown away by the new kid on the block.
Long Run looked every inch a potential champion when destroying the field in the King George at Kempton.
But he still had many detractors, based on the fact he had failed to deliver in his two previous races on the track and also doubts regarding his rider.
There were, however, extenuating circumstance for his previous failures at Cheltenham and, granted a thorough stamina test for the first time, ran his rivals ragged.
Waley-Cohen may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but seems blessed with an ideal temperament and there is now no doubting either his skill or bravery.
The 28-year-old was as cool as ice and is entitled to live off this immaculate performance for a very long time indeed.
Running down to the third last Kauto Star, allowed stride on with a circuit to cover by Ruby Walsh, Denman and Imperial Commander were going at it hard and fast.
In behind was Long Run, he threw a few untidy leaps through the contest, who was now into a savage rhythm.
Imperial Commander was the first to crack and it was the Paul Nicholls juggernauts who turned for home stride for stride.
Waley-Cohen knew he couldn’t let get them away and set about making up a couple of lengths gap on the old-timers.
Soon the baby-faced assassin had them right in his sights and Long Run flew the last, upsides Kauto Star and Denman.
And, in the twinkling of eye, the race was over as a contest. Kauto was soon legless and Denman had only the one pace.
Long Run had more, a lot more, to offer. He surged away going to the final fence, flipped across as if it didn’t exist and roared clear on the flat to beat Denman by seven lengths.
Kauto Star held on for third, in front of What A Friend, giving Nicholls all of the minor placings.
“This is very emotional’, said Waley-Cohen. “The horse’s jumping was awesome and he was very brave.
“I didn’t know whether I was coming or going at some of the fences! You throw everything at them, your heart, your soul and your guts.
“I asked him a lot of questions and he answered them all. It’s a surreal moment, sometimes achieving your dreams is difficult to comprehend.
“Not many amateurs have been lucky enough to have a go at this race. It’s very unique and I’m lucky to be able to enjoy it.’
Long Run, of course, is owned by Waley-Cohen’s father, Robert, who treated his son to a giant hug in the winner’s enclosure.
Continuing, rider-Cohen said: “I was always in the position I wanted to be and was just waiting for them to come back.
“It came down to stamina, not speed, and he had the courage and the youth to get up that hill.
“It was do or die at some of those fences, you would be eating grass if failing to pick up. He’s only a six-year-old and we are hoping he can come back next year.’
Henderson has been waiting all of his career, some 33 years, for this day and, understandably, was in tears.
“It has taken a few years, this race has eluded us a bit’, he said, with serious understatement.
“The Gold Cup and the Grand National were the two races we were missing and it is nice to get one of them in the bag.
“Sam went in there against the big boys, and the big horses, and done a fantastic job. Sam doesn’t get the practice all the other jockeys get every day. He has another job, but has worked so hard for this and it is very special.’
Paul Nicholls was generous in defeat. He said: “I wasn’t expecting very much today, but you have to hand it to them, that was an awesome horse race.”
