Long Run Uneasy in Betfair Chase Market

Nicky Henderson’s 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Long Run, strongly fancied on Betfair to regain his crown this term after finishing only third in last season’s renewal behind Synchronised, has been eased by some firms in the ante-post market for his first outing of this campaign, the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock Park on November 24, writes Elliot Slater.

Although a few firms still go as short as 5/4 about the Robert Waley-Cohen-owned chaser, some now offer as big as 7/4, a response to steady support for champion trainer, Paul Nicholls’ Silviniaco Conti, the recent impressive winner of the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

Silviniaco has been backed down to as low 11/4 in places and is seen in some quarters as a potential contender for top honours by the end of the season.
At the start of last season, Long Run was expected to carry all before him but came a cropper at the first time of asking when finding the revitalised superstar, Kauto Star, eight lengths too good for him in the Betfair Chase.

That contest saw immensely emotional scenes as the great veteran chaser returned to a stunning reception in the Haydock winners enclosure.

Expected to gain his revenge in the King George VI Chase the following month, Long Run again failed to peg back the five-years-older Nicholls-trained legend, going under by just over a length, but got back to winning ways when scraping home from stable companion, Burton Port, at Newbury in February.

Favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup the following month, Long Run held every chance at the second last but could not quicken when it mattered and had to settle for third place. Connections believe the seven-year-old is a stronger horse this season and his jockey, Sam Waley-Cohen, is confident he can regain the winning thread at Haydock.

Don’t forget, the King George VI Chase will also be run this winter. Check out the Kempton chase odds, and pick an early winner.