Henderson taking nothing for granted with Long Run

NICKY Henderson is taking nothing for granted as his Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Long Run faces a stellar field on his seasonal return in the Betfair Chase at Haydock today.

Following a novice campaign that left more questions than answers, the French import stepped up to the plate in a big way last season. Defeat in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham had many labelling the six-year-old as a hype horse, but he proved he was anything but by dethroning Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase.

Any doubts about his ability to handle Cheltenham were quashed as he left both Kauto Star and Denman in his wake in the blue riband in March, taking him to the top of the tree in the staying chase division.