Play it again SAM

LONG RUN became the first six-year-old since mighty Mill House in 1963 to win the Gold Cup when producing a stunning display of raw power and limitless stamina at Cheltenham yesterday.

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.