Long Run is to travel to Scotland for the Ivan Straker Memorial Chase later this week as connections head to Kelso in search of better ground.
The Kempton Park Chase on February 22 had been earmarked as a target for the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, who was last seen unseating his rider in the King George on Boxing Day.
However, the promise of better ground, combined with a less competitive race, has proved an irresistible lure for owner Robert Waley-Cohen and trainer Nicky Henderson.
“It’s a Class Two race, not a Class One, and it’s just a case of going where the ground is best,” Waley-Cohen said.
“It will be nice for him to have a race that’s not one of the toughest of the season.
“The Denman Chase at Newbury last weekend was an option, but there was no way we would run on that ground.”
Long Run has not tasted victory since he landed the 2012 King George and his three runs this seasons have all yielded unplaced finishes – the first occasions in the gelding’s career when he has not made the frame.
Should he bounce back to winning form, Long Run is entered once again for the Cheltenham Gold Cup as well as the Grand National.
“We’ll see how it goes, but Aintree is definitely an option,” Waley-Cohen said.
