Connections satisfied as Long Run delivers in Denman

Long Run’s connections declared themselves thoroughly satisfied after the Cheltenham Gold Cup hero continued his Festival preparations with a workmanlike victory at Newbury yesterday.

After defeating old warriors Denman and Kauto Star in the blue riband last March, it seemed Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old was ready to dominate the staying chase division for years to come.

Things have not gone exactly to script, with a rejuvenated Kauto Star rediscovering his very best form and galloping Long Run into submission in the Betfair Chase at Haydock and the King George VI Chase at Kempton.