Run on course for Paddy Power Sam Waley-Cohen is excited about renewing his partnership with Nicky Henderson's Long Run in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham next month. The five-year-old French import enjoyed a fine first season in Britain, winning the Feltham Novices' Chase at Kempton and the Kingmaker Novices' Chase at Warwick before finishing third in the RSA Chase. Waley-Cohen, whose father Robert owns the horse, feels the gelding is stronger than ever ahead of the new campaign, and hopes he can overcome what is likely to be a big weight on November 13. "The Paddy Power Gold Cup is exactly the plan for Long Run," said the amateur jockey. "He's got quite a high weight, but it will be good to get the experience into him around Cheltenham with the Festival obviously always in mind. "If he can't sort of win a handicap like that without getting my claim, he's never going to be able to step up to the next level so it's a big ask for him. "I've been sitting on him quite a lot and just getting to know him while he's quiet now. He's had a very, very good summer and is bigger, stronger and calmer - he just seems like a more grown up horse. "Maybe it's because he's not fully wound-up yet, but I hope he'll be more mature both physically and mentally."
