He'll be facing same horses off the same terms in the King George, and no matter how fit Nicholls had him theres no better place to get tip top fit that the race course. I think he can do himself justice again the KG, he was magnificent today in his front running and jumping.
by doing himself justice, i mean run a good race. wouldnt surprise me to see Long Run reverse the form but then again Kauto Star jumped him ragged today.
Oh I agree - if he avoids the jumping errors he will be within half a dozen lengths, but probably not good anough for prize money. I do think C Smith wants the horse back home soon though, pure affection with the horse and it's great to see....
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm not convinced that the speed test of the King George will suit Long Run particularly well. As was shown today he lacks that effortless cruising speed that Kauto has. I just fancy that there might be one or two with too much speed for him. He would still be my idea of the Gold Cup winner but i just think that he might be done for toe round Kempton. This year's King George is shaping up into a much better race so i think he still has it to prove. He was outpaced and struggling from a long way out today, long before fitness was an issue, and he just kept on at the one pace. And for those doubting Kauto, if he can run up to that level in the King George then he has a massive chance. Make no mistake about it. Really was a huge performance.
Long Run does have as good a cruising speed, today he just didn't jump fluidly (which we have seen before), lets not forget he has won twice around Kempton in great performances. To say the KG will not suit him seems rather unlikely to me.
He was off the bridle a long way out in both the King George and the Gold Cup. I think last year's King George was a weak race so he was able to get away with it. He needed every yard of 3m2f round Cheltenham to get on top in the Gold Cup. Obviously he is well capable of handling Kempton, and the test that the King George presents, but I just feel that he might be better suited to a test when the emphasis is more on stamina. Just remembering that his is my first Daily Thread, and what a way to start. I won't do another until December 26th.
Am just back from a fantastic day at Ascot- Great Run from MM the crowd cheered when he came in to the parade ring. Jumped extremley well today- and for a king george horse he should be breezing round here which he did! Oscar Whiskey- so unlucky to fall at the last when looked like he was going to win. But again good run from overturn to put the pressure on him to make the mistake- only looked like one of the two would win the rest as I predicted were no where near! And lastly had a nice win on Imsingingtheblues @ 8/1! stuck wit him and came good! - So overrall a 1st class day!
Long Run was there to be laid today as we knew he had shown signs of ring rust before. The key for me was hearing how fit Nicholls had got Kauto, and how Henderson said Long Run 'was not Gold Cup fit'. Great result for the Lay King today, probably the highest profile lay we've achieved, next to Menorah and Captain Chris! Let's not hide from any facts though- I don't think Long Run supporters will be too disappointed in terms of the season in prospect- he shaped pretty well, jumping let him down but I think a clean round at Kempton puts him bang there. The really interesting thing about the King George is those coming to have a crack at Kemptons 3m. If there is any 3m track in the country where the speed horses will turn this into a high class fast pace, it will be Kempton. A couple of us had said in the pre-race discussion that it seemed clear that Long Run was better the firther he went and whilst he was the clear and very good winner of last years King George, the margin did flatter him as Kautos mistake put pay to an interesting enough finish. It's hard to know what else he beat that day and that is why at this stage of the season, I felt it was better to be against him than with him. What we do know is that he has filled out physically, needs to brush up his jumping a little bit, but that the ability is very much in tact and that he is expected to improve for the run. I still think the Gold Cup is his strongest race if he can get his jumping spot on. He is a worthy King George favourite, but the smart 2 and a half milers who are coming up in trip make it a reallly cracking renewal, if they do indeed keep their entries. Great stuff from Kauto today, what a round he put in.
sorry to go off topic but i'd just like to make some small contribution to this thread - liverpool at 7/2 with paddy power to beat chelsea tomorrow - i will be having a dabble at those odds
i think its a testament to how good KS and Denman were in their pomp that they are well thought to be receding in ability yet can still go out as 10 & 11yr olds and beat the young staying chasers. They really are 2 superstars of jump racing and had so much ability in their hayday. unbelievably good horses.
Just seen Binocular back next week! (controversially as I know hes not alot of peoples favourite horse ) I Cant wait!!! (I know others can!) Should easily win and he is still odds against at the mo! But I can see the bookies wanting to take him on too! BINOCULAR TO WIN THE CHAMPION HURDLE AGAIN!!! please log in to view this image
Now some photos of a proper horse! Ruby looks like he's won the race before he's even left the paddock. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
