Nicky Henderson’s view of the Cheltenham Gold Cup does not differ vastly from the bookmakers, with the trainer predicting an ultra-close fifth clash between Long Run and Kauto Star.
Last season was dominated by Henderson’s Long Run, when he crushed the rival five years his senior in both the King George and Gold Cup, but the regenerated veteran has exacted brutal revenge this winter.
Eight lengths separated the pair in the Betfair Chase at Haydock before Long Run narrowed the gap to a length and a quarter at Kempton on Boxing Day and Henderson has noted the enthusiastic vibes coming from Kauto Star’s trainer, Paul Nicholls.
While Long Run was not particularly impressive in beating stablemate Burton Port in his warm-up at Newbury less than a fortnight ago, he remains the 9-4 favourite over Kauto Star at 3-1.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt this is a different horse to the one we were playing with last year,” Henderson said of Kauto Star.
“I think he was going through a patch last year and people were baying for his retirement. I wish Paul had listened!
“He has even avoided going through the final fence now – he has put the whole thing together.
“At Kempton we were only beaten a couple of lengths and had he (Long Run) really winged the last we might have got it down.
“Ruby (Walsh) has really put the turbo on early with Kauto this year and (Cheltenham) is a different track to do it on.
“In the Gold Cup they tend to wind up the pace and if he’s going to go on, he’s got another two and a half furlongs (500m) up the hill to go.”
“We were two-love up and now it’s two-all and it’s going to be a very interesting battle.
“I’ve a nasty feeling public opinion will go with the old favourite and I’ll be very unpopular if we beat him.
“Last year was a great Gold Cup. It’s all to play for and I don’t think there’s much between them.”
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