Long Run retired after disappointing on Carlisle return

Five years on from his brilliant victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Long Run has been retired following a disappointing hunter chase debut at Carlisle.

The 11-year-old beat the great Paul Nicholls-trained pair of Denman and Kauto Star in the blue riband five years ago for Nicky Henderson.

He went on to win a second King George VI Chase at Kempton the following year and was placed in the next two renewals of the Gold Cup, but he had not been seen in competitive action since failing to fire in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris at Auteuil in May 2014.