Long Run and Kauto Star clash for third time in Betfair Chase
The Nicky Henderson trained Long Run emerged the victor in both the King George VI Chase at Kempton and the Gold Cup at Cheltenham last term, with Kauto Star only third on each of those occasions.
With Kauto Star now rising 12, some had anticipated his retirement over the summer, but trainer Paul Nicholls insists the dual Gold Cup winner is showing all his old dash at home.
Aside from the two headline horses, a handful of other top-class chasers will be on Merseyside. However, as expected, Irish challenger Rubi Light was taken out at the 48-hour declaration stage by trainer Robbie Hennessy and Tom George has decided not to run the 10-year-old Nacarat.
Meanwhile Luska Lad’s chasing debut has been delayed after he suffered a fall when schooling.
John Hanlon was hoping the seven-year-old would have started over fences by now, but an accident at home means his debut over the bigger obstacles will not come until January.
Rated 159 at his peak over timber, he could take high rank.
“I had him entered recently, but he had a fall schooling and he’s had a bit of a setback so we won’t see him until early January I’d say,” said Hanlon.
“It’s just going to take a couple of weeks to clear up – he’ll still be going chasing, it’s just a muscle problem.”
Hanlon is to step Mart Lane up in class after he sauntered home on his hurdling debut at Perth.
“We are biding our time with Mart Lane. We were going to run him in a Graded race but Barry (O’Connell, owner) had another runner so I couldn’t run him,” said Hanlon.
“He’s in savage form and I’d say he’ll probably go for one of the good novice races at Leopardstown at Christmas.
“Hopefully we’ll be getting busier again in the next few weeks. The likes of Alfa Beat and Clondaw Warrior are coming back in now and I’d say they’d be out at Christmas as well.”
