Long running into form at right time

The reaction of both the bookmakers and sections of the press to the recent success of Long Run at Newbury, at least to my way of thinking, was a little surprising.

The layers couldn't wait to shove him out in price, while some of the press seemed to think that a horse who had just won had actually harmed his prospects of landing another Gold Cup.

I even read one of the scribes saying that Long Run's jumping left plenty to be desired. I couldn't understand that at all, because his technique was essentially impeccable.

Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old has been running well all season, finally getting his head in front at the third attempt, at Newbury.

There is a theory that, on the basis of being a French-import, he will deteriorate, rather than go forward, as he gets older.

We're not short of evidence, with several other ex-French horses, and that may well be the case, but until such time as Long Run himself indicates he is on the slippery slope to nowhere then there's little point being overly concerned regarding such a possibility.

You'd imagine that Henderson has had just one major goal in mind and the outings he has had so far this campaign have been of only minor importance in the greater scheme of things.

I was reasonably impressed with him the last day. He travelled beautifully through the race, picked up well enough when asked and was conceding Burton Port 10lbs.

My abiding memory of Long Run's victory in last year's Gold Cup was the manner in which he absolutely exploded up that final punishing hill.

Approaching the home turn he was far from certain to score, but by the time the finishing line arrived was seven lengths clear of Denman and 11 lengths ahead of third placed Kauto Star.

You can argue that this year's renewal is a hotter race, which is fair enough. Kauto Star is in far better shape and Burton Port and Synchronised are a pair of dark horses.

But I've fancied Long Run all season, was encouraged by Newbury and still believe he is the most likely winner.

Paul Nicholls could be forgiven for literally tearing his hair out this week.

A bout of coughing in his yard could not have come at a worse time, although a couple of winners yesterday will have done much to soothe the nerves.

I know he's been playing it down, but privately has to be worried. Most of his horses last weekend ran shockers, with the likes of particularly smart sorts in Silviniaco Conti and Kauto Stone downing tools in a matter of strides.

He still has time to get it right of course and, perhaps, already has, but you still couldn’t feel entirely comfortable backing one of his at the moment.

Looking at some Cheltenham betting this week could not believe Rubi Light had been promoted to outright favouritism for the Ryanair Chase.

He is an admirable horse and I am, along with most observers, you suspect, a big admirer of Robbie Hennessy's gelding.

He was again very good when treating modest opposition with contempt at Gowran Park last Saturday.

But this has the makings of a fiercely competitive Ryanair and Rubi Light is very much ground dependent.

The softer the surface the better for the seven-year-old, but all the evidence for a number of years now is that he won't get what's required.

It is always sad when realisation finally dawns that what was once a potential superstar will never deliver at the highest level.

When Mikael D'Haguenet first came from France he had possible Cheltenham Gold Cup winner written all over him.

Many of us have pleasant memories of his win in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, now the Neptune, at Cheltenham in 2009. It was both pleasing to the eye and the pocket.

Then he came home to slam Cousin Vinny by four lengths at the Punchestown Festival and was unbeaten in six races that season.

But he never totally recovered from long-term injury and a few unfortunate experiences over fences didn't help either.

He seemed to be on the way back when winning three races over flights this season, but the bubble was finally burst at Navan last Sunday.

The well-exposed Mourad trounced him to the tune of six and a half lengths and, disappointingly, Mikael D'Haguenet now no longer has any grandiose pretensions.

Also at Navan, Gordon Elliott's Beef To The Heels finished second for the fourth time in-a-row, in a maiden hurdle.

Normally when something like that happens the warning signs are obvious that such a horse has to be avoided like the proverbial plague in the future.

But that would be very harsh on Beef To The Heels. He is certainly limited, for sure, but does seem entirely genuine.

Being by Bob Back, he will surely enjoy a sounder surface and should not be discounted. I think we will get our few quid out of him when the time is right.