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Not a 100% natural jumper – but Long Run did just enough whilst brushing throught the top of quite a few fences. I thought he made too many mistakes to have that much left at the end. Something doesnt add up for me about the race – all the mistakes and yet so much left, the fast ground, IC dropping out so fast whilst going well up until then (i thought he was cantering – then coming down the hill something went wrong)
not sure what a friend is the best horse around so his proximity points to the ground imo – i wouldnt go overboard no best ever – come back and do it on soft ground imo
Still a fascinating race and maybe that 6yo stat might be broken a few more times with many more french breads these years.
As you all say, it was a fantastic race, so good to see Kauto Star running and jumping so well, and Denman, well, brilliantly consistent. PN is right to say he’s very proud of his horses. SWC was spot on too, gave Long Run a lovely confident ride.
For those who are asking what the opposition will be next year, apart from Weapons Amnesty, there’s Burton Port and Diamond Harry to name two. Hope they are sound for next season.
Denman getting to 14l from Burton Port and Diamond Harry giving them 26lbs makes him way ahead of them (relatively) on levels. That tells me Long Run is around 20+ lengths better than them on what they did through Denman. Unless Denman lost 10lbs in the mean time
?I don’t want to get into technicalities but right now, Long Run is way better than Burton Port and Diamond Harry
That was the race of the festival, loved it, Long Run is an athlete, so many things like stats and ground ( you’d think ) and it pulls it out, Long Run is some horse and what an education.
What we want next year is a Weapons Amnesty in the line up, hope Imperial Commander is okay after coming home badly lame.
OK Nulty, don’t bother getting into technicalities, you don’t need to teach your grandmother to suck eggs. Horse racing is horse racing, and some people on here were asking what other horses might pitch up next year and I happened to mention two who probably will all being well, likewise for Long Run, a french bred horse who started younger and may well finish earlier, who knows.
Never have I felt more privileged attending a major sporting event.
That was an absolute epic. A Hollywood script played out in a little under six and a half minutes.
Didn’t your heart rate increase when Ruby Walsh coaxed Kauto Star into a beautiful rhythm and jump to the lead?
That move by Ruby Walsh was arguably the foundation of what was to be an epic story. It raised many eyebrows, I’m sure.
Ironically, Kauto Star and Denman swapped their respective styles. Kauto, sent to the lead and gradually stretching the field. Denman settled, travelling strongly and cruising past his rivals.
Travelling down the hill to three out and the three previous winners of the race were matching strides before Imperial Commander (lame) waved the white flag.
We have waited the best part of four years, ever since Denman claimed the RSA in 2007, to see The Tank and L’Extraterrestrial storming round the final bend in full flight, head to head, neither giving an inch.
Kauto Star, unable to find the acceleration that would arguably have won him this type of encounter in the past, tired after the second last, which left the old warrior, Denman, and the young hero, Long Run, to fight out the finish.
Long Run’s younger legs powered him up the hill to a convincing victory. The young lion had indeed tamed the older members of the pride.
——————————————————————
Long Run may have firmly established himself on the big stage after announcing his intentions in the King George, but it was Denman and Kauto Star that brought the house down and raised the biggest cheers.
Leaving the track side by side, the old friends were treated to a reception the likes I have rarely heard, which continued right through to the parade ring.
Connections of the legendary duo looked just as happy and proud as they did when their respective charges won the race. Kauto, nearly killed in the race last year and looking a spent force at Kempton. Denman, who overcame heart issues to win a second Hennessy and written-off before.
They patched themselves up for one final battle in the twilight of their careers and proved why we will not see their ilk for a long, long time.
I would like to pay tribute to Kauto Star, who played such a major role in todays epic and has been the most amazing talent I have ever seen:
To put things into perspective. Kauto Star won his first Tingle Creek when Long Run was only eight months old. I’m sure Kauto, all being well, will return next year. By that time, he will have been competing at the highest ‘senior’ level for SIX years.
That’s two more years and FOURTEEN more races than Denman. Kauto was competing in his 37TH race this afternoon.
His record in the two showpiece events for three mile chasers, the King George and Gold Cup, reads 1112111F33. He became the first horse to regain the Gold Cup, the first horse to win four consecutive King Georges and the only horse to complete the double on more than one occasion during the process. Incredible.
After nearly killing himself in the race last year and failing to add a fifth King George to his collection, wasn’t it great to see Kauto clearly enjoying himself. Even on the run-in, tired and beaten, he had his ears pricked.
If I were Paul Nicholls, I would send him to Sandown for the bet365. There is a part of me, however, which feels today would be a fitting finale to such an epic rivalry. Eleven years old, the pair of them, but still making sure a much younger rival pulled out everything to get the better of them. It would be a great way to remember them.
As for Long Run, his career is just beginning. He has the potential to carve his own piece of history, but he has a helluva long way to go before emulating either of them – he will have to do something extraordinary, and then some.
It does worry me that he is so good at such a young age. Kauto Star and Big Buck’s were not quite so precocious and you need only look at Master Minded to see what could happen in the blink of an eye.
Well done, Long Run. I’m sure both Denman and Kauto will say that you earned your stripes this afternoon.
Bosranic, once again, an excellent post from yourself. A great read as always. Fully agree with your comments.
OK Nulty, don’t bother getting into technicalities, you don’t need to teach your grandmother to suck eggs. Horse racing is horse racing, and some people on here were asking what other horses might pitch up next year and I happened to mention two who probably will all being well, likewise for Long Run, a french bred horse who started younger and may well finish earlier, who knows.
Hey, take a load off there buddy. It came across as condescending but I know the company I keep here. It was ever meant that way. Sorry you took it the wrong way. I seem to have taken you up the wrong way too.
Fair point you make now that I see what you were saying in the first place.
Good thing Long Run was in the race or the accolades would never stop for Denman. Can you imagine the press if Denman had won? Long Run helped keep them terrestrial.Racing correspondents need that.
Pretty good race to watch but didn’t quite excite me in the way it has others.
Kauto and Denman were both fab and I hope Denman does go for the National next year.
I was completely wrong about Long run. Even so he didn’t jump that well, he had enough class to power away on ground that I did not expect him to enjoy.
I guess there will need to be others to test him now as Nicholls stars shouldn’t run in the GC anymore. IMHO – it would be a shame to see them come 5th or 6th as they don’t deserve that.
As for Imperial Commander (which I backed) – he broke blood vessels – not sure how well he would have done otherwise (?)
Not the race of the meeting for me. I think Big Bucks deserves that accolade. Glad the crowd gave the gallant Denman and Kauto richly deserved ovations.
Zip
Definitely the race of the festival for me. I’ve watched the replay a few times now and it was an exhilirating race. At the same time I find it a bit sombre as there is one point at the final bend when Kauto Star appears to be travelling the best of them all, he then goes to kick on, but nothing is there. He just didn’t have the burst of speed he had in his younger years. But age catches up with them all; even then all-time greats.
Denman was fantastic, as always. Incredibly consistent around Cheltenham but has run into one too good over the last 3 years. An exceptional horse in his own right.
Long run is one hell of a horse. To win a King George and a Gold Cup so well, at such a young age, is frightening. Lets hope he stays healthy and can contest the top races for years to come. He has so much potential.
End of an era today, imo, and the start of a new one with Long Run.
At last an update on Imperial Commander, there was a news byte that he finished in agony.
IC was cantering as they came down the hill – got in short at that fence and then went out like a light. I was confused at first how he was beaten but was caught up in the fantastic race that was unfolding – now i know. I doubted as i did last year that maybe he didnt stay but we all know that isnt true. Hope he is ok …..
as PN said – for all those who thought kauto should retire – he loved it and ruby wasnt that hard on him. Same for Denman .. love him to bits for the attitude and the heart. They may both run again – thats what they enjoy and i hope they stay safe and sound.
Denman is a fanstic animal – must have hated the ground – again given a great ride. rewind the race and compare how they were all going on the climb round the back. Long run did well to go on that ground but i thought coming down the hill IC was nailed on.
just shows you how much i know …. but one thing is for sure – they came back safe and sound and they have all enhaced thier reputation … it is why the gold cup and national hunt is the pinnacle of the sport imo
i thought IC would win and i hope he is ok … will be gutted if that is the last time we see him
This was the best result for racing itself. Glad that Sam has shut up the people who have critsicised him in the past [Gold Cup/National double perhaps?]..a superstar of a young horse and the most honourable defeats that two horses could have. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Kauto jump so well. My only concern is that, Long Run apart, where are the up and coming class horses for this race next year?
I’m going from where I left this thread this morning, so apologies if it’s already been mentioned, but…
Weapon’s Amnesty
Diamond Harry
Burton Port
Riverside Theatre (if he makes a stayer)
Back In Focus (given the ground, this horse could really be something)
Kempes
Pandorama
Time For Rupert
Boston Angel
Captain Chris (see Riverside Theatre)
Noble Prince
Wishfull ThinkingHow’s that for starters?
Twitter=@PGHenn
So don't run, just like the others always do
I may have damned him with faint praise, I may have sneered at his youth, I may have decided he was a bit of a hype horse – but now I say Long Run Is The Real Deal.
I’d thought he’d be like Desert Orchid, cruising up at Kempton but having difficulty at Cheltenham, but winning EVENTUALLY…turns out his first GC saw him smash the course record!
The King lost nothing in defeat, and for him and Denman to do what they did at their age…wow. Will they be around next year? I don’t know, but something tells me the Hennessy and the King George could well be emotional.
Of course, Kauto will have to face Long Run and – here’s hoping – …
Ah, yes. Kempes. My big tip of the day turned out not to quite have the legs for it. Nevermind, there’s always Punchestown, and I’d love to see him run in a King George, I think Kempton would suit him.
So, a fantastic race, and I was privileged to have been there. All I can say is ‘sorry’ to Cormack for my Tidal Bay-esque late call!
FLD
Twitter=@PGHenn
So don't run, just like the others always do
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