Nicky Henderson hopes to give Punchestowns two more runs over fences before the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.
Last year’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle runner-up made an impressive start over fences at Newbury in November but the weather has hit his recent programme.
“He would have gone to Cheltenham (New Year’s Day) and Warwick on Saturday and he does need a couple of runs before the Festival but there is time to do that,” the trainer told Racing UK. He did everything beautifully at Newbury, it was a very pleasing debut. Barry (Geraghty) was very good on him, spending the first half of the race getting into a rhythm and gaining some confidence. As that built up he started to let him open up and enjoy himself.”
Henderson believes the RSA is the only logical target for his star at Cheltenham.
“He’ll probably have the one entry in the RSA chase – I can’t see there’s anything else to put him in. I can’t think he needs to be in the Ryanair taking on those horses. He might as well run against novices.”
At 4/1 this is a great bet, get on now, Back or Lay with Betfair…
Nicky Henderson admits Long Run is more likely to run in the RSA Chase than the Irish Independent Arkle at Cheltenham.
The much-vaunted French import was a hugely impressive winner of the Feltham Novices’ Chase over three miles at Kempton on Boxing Day.
However connections have since pondered whether to drop him back to the minimum trip at Cheltenham in March.
Stablemate Punchestowns is an intended runner in the RSA Chase but there is no thought of trying to keep the pair apart.
“We’re not going to switch them around to try and avoid each other as Cheltenham is Cheltenham and every owner is entitled to be there as much as the other,” Henderson told Racing UK.
“He is only a five-year-old, has done an enormous amount already and you’d like to think in one or two years’ time, Long Run might be able to have a crack at Kauto Star.
“I’ve no doubt that his optimum trip is going to be further than two miles, but does it need to be three (miles)?
“We had a good session with Yogi Breisner in the indoor school the other day and his jumping was very, very good. I was really pleased and thought his technique had improved. We will be doing that again,”
“We also feel that if he goes jumping at a quicker pace, it will be a little easier.
“The Arkle was just an idea I had and it is far from cast in stone what we’re going to do. In all probability he’ll go for the RSA.”
Long Run is 5/1 with Sky Bet for the RSA Chase.
