Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner 2011

Winner: Long Run

Betting Odds: 7/2

Trainer: Nicky Henderson

Owner: Robert Waley-Cohen

The 83^rd annual running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) sponsored by Totesport, originally the Tote when owned by the government, founded in 1928, backed by Winston Churchill, who was then Chancellor of the Exchequer. In 2004, the retail and online arm rebranded as Totesport/ Totepool. In 2011, the government sold the Tote for about £265 million to Betfred. Later, ownership passed to the UK Tote Group (a consortium invested in horse racing).

A going description of good.

Win prize money of £285,050 A winning time of 6m 29.70s (fast by 20.30s).

This six-year-old gelding, one of the youngest winners in modern history dating back to Mill House in 1963, is a son of Cadoudal, out of an unraced mare named Libertina. Bred by Mrs. Marie-Christine Gabeur, in the ownership of Robert Waley-Cohen, trained by Nicky Henderson. Long Run was trained by Nicky Henderson from 21^st December 2009 at Seven Barrows, Upper Lambourn, Hungerford, Berkshire, England. He changed stables on the 3^rd February 2016, and had a sole run for Robert Waley-Cohen at Carlisle in an Open Hunter’s Chase [priced 1/2f], he finished 5^th.

He was retired after the race ‘looking really tired in the straight..’

Long Run made his debut as a three-year-old at Auteuil, France on the 4^th May 2008, in a Maiden Hurdle (Listed Race) over 1m 7f on heavy going. He finished a creditable 2^nd beaten three lengths for trainer G. Macaire, ridden by Benoit Gicquel. He race 12 times for the stable, achieving 8 wins, never unplaced.

Leading up to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, he ran on the 15^th January 2011 at Kempton in the King George VI Chase. Racing over 3m in a nine-strong field, he won ‘comfortably’ by 12-lengths at odds of 9/2 (backed from 13/2). The race featured Kauto Star who was priced 4/7f. Finishing third, Paul Nicholls said: ‘He bled from the nose…’

This was an accomplished display by Long Run, who was wearing earplugs for the first time. His record at Cheltenham hadn’t been good with two previous defeats and there were questions to whether he could prove effective at the course. There were arguments for and against him going to Cheltenham. Many considered his Gold Cup price of 7/1 to be terrible value with regard to his age and the fact it had been 48-years since the last six year old had won [Mill House, 1963].

All this being said, Long Run would arrive at the Cheltenham Gold Cup and start at odds of 7/2f (so much for the comments of poor value). In doing so, he would have the additional challenge of facing the winners of the last four races: Imperial Commander (2010), Kauto Star (2009, 2007) & Denman (2008).

By all accounts, it was a very strong renewal.

In Long Run’s career, he raced 34 times and achieved 15 wins, 7 seconds and 6 third placed. He had total earnings of £1,542,715.

He ran once in the Aintree Grand National (12/1) but fell at the 9^th fence.

18^th March 2011 –

3:20 Cheltenham – Totesport Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)

A field of 13 runners on good ground.

Leading contenders included: Long Run 7/2f, Imperial Commander 4/1, Kauto Star 5/1, Denman 8/1, Midnight Chase 9/1, Kempes 9/1, Pandorama 14/1 & Tidal Bay 16/1.

Midnight Chase (9/1) had a healthy lead at the first fence, while Denman (8/1) was under restraint at the rear of field and Kauto Star (5/1) in midfield.

A pretty moderate pace.

Long Run (7/2f) settled mid division.

Neptune’s Collonges (33/1) was none too fluent.

Midnight Chase remained at the head of the field, three lengths ahead of China Rock (25/1) and Kauto Star.

All over the first open ditch.

Weird Al (20/1) making mistakes.

Midnight Chase led with China Rock holding second with Kauto Star and an improving Long Run and Denman.

With a circuit to go, Kauto Star jumped to the front.

Commentator Richard Hoiles saying: ‘Kauto Star ups the ante…’

He leads at fence 13 from a gathering field.

Imperial Commander (4/1) improving on the far side.

Long Run travelling well in fourth on the rail

Running downhill, Imperial Commander, a fraction in front of Kauto Star.

Heading to the third last, Kauto Star, Denman & Long Run start to pull clear of Imperial Commander who gives way.

Turning back to home, Denman shades Kauto Star, the pair heading for the second from last fence, with Long Run waiting in behind.

Stride for stride over the penultimate fence, with Long Run at their girth.

What A Friend (25/1) rallying in fourth place.

Heading to the last, Long Run takes the lead and jumps into a length advantage.

Hoiles: ‘It’s Long Run from Denman and Kauto Star. Long Run, the six-year-old, is going to add a new name on the cup.’

‘Long Run has won a memorable Gold Cup, followed by Denman and Kauto Star, holding off a late run by What A Friend by a nose. ‘

Final Result:

Long Run 7/2f

Denman 8/1

Kauto Star 5/1

Dist: 7L, 4l, nose

Cheltenham Gold Cup Results: Long Run

2011 – 1^st 7/2f

2012 – 3^rd 7/4f

2013 – 3^rd 7/2

Major wins: Prix Cambaceres (2008), Prix Maurice Gillios (2009), Feltham Novices’ Chase (2009), Kingmaker Novices’ Chase (2010), King George VI Chase (2011, 2012), Cheltenham Gold Cup (2011) & Denman Chase (2012).