Henderson taking nothing for granted with Long Run
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.
He will face a thorough examination on his return to action, however, with Kauto Star out for revenge as he bids to show he is no back number.
Adding further spice is the presence of last year’s Hennessy Gold Cup winner Diamond Harry and Charlie Hall Chase one-two Weird Al and Time For Rupert.
Henderson said: “I’m not particularly looking forward to it but everybody else can!
“Most of the opposition have got the benefit of having a run under their belts and this can’t be described as a prep race – it’s a Gold Cup trial in itself.
“I don’t see there being any problem with the track in that we know he goes left-handed as he won round Cheltenham and we know likes flat tracks as he goes round Kempton.
“He’s as near to fitness as I can get him without giving him a run and everything has gone well, but we’ll just have to see.”
Although many believe four-time King George winner and dual Gold Cup hero Kauto Star is past his best, Henderson is certainly not leaving him out of calculations.
“You’re never going to write of Kauto Star – you’d be mad to ever write him off,” said the Seven Barrows handler. “We can all go through bad patches. You couldn’t write any of them off, in all honesty. If it was a two-horse race with only one of them running I wouldn’t take it for granted.”
