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Hello all…..my first post on here (so be gentle with me)

I have to say that I am impressed with the standard of the reports on here, this looks like the most professional racing forum I have been on.

So that being said, here’s my tuppence worth. I’m afraid it’s not very original, but I can’t see anything getting near Long Run. Now I accept that he ploughed through more than a few fences in the Betfair, and did not look as sharp as Kauto regardless of that. Paul Nichols made it clear that this was the first time he trained Kauto Star for the race, it was always a stepping stone towards the King George.

Nicky Henderson also made it clear that although Long Run was fit, he had left a bit to do with him, as he was being aimed at the King George and Gold Cup.

Kauto Star is a legend, absolutely no doubt. On his day he is still a force to be reckoned, but on his day at 11 and Long Run on his day at 6, I think there is only one winner. Even with his faults, Long Run managed to win the King George and Gold Cup last year. No horse does that without being an exceptional horse. I know excuses, perhaps fairly, were put up for Kauto Star last year, but he wasn’t the only horse in those races and Long Run trounced them on both occasions.

I know they are still working on his jumping, he is untidy, but even so he has never looked like falling, and never has. I do remember emailing into Mark Chapman in the box at attheraces, voicing concerns over Sam Waley-Cohen before the Gold cup, I said then that I would rather see Barry Geraghty on him, I still would. It’s not that Sam is not a good horseman, he is, but I feel the horse would benefit from a great jockey like Geraghty.

So, even with Sam aboard and even with his sketchy jumping at times, I still think he is the best horse by a good way. I dare say the King George will either make me look very wise…..or a complete plonker. Either way, I can’t wait for it.

Have a merry Christmas all

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