Waley-Cohen talks up Long Run

Robert Waley-Cohen warned connections of Long Run's rivals that his charge has improved "out of all recognition" ahead of the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday.

The Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old is one of the most exciting prospects in National Hunt racing, having made a scintillating British debut in the Feltham Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

He followed up at Warwick before meeting with defeat when third in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but his owner believes he is a stronger horse this season.

"It's always exciting when you have a young horse running in a big race like this and we're really looking forward to it," said Waley-Cohen.

"It's all systems go. I think he's improved out of all recognition over the summer.

"He's grown, he's filled out and he's gone from being a precocious four-year-old to a much more mature horse.

"I think two and a half miles on his first run of the season on a stiff track like Cheltenham is probably ideal.

"He's obviously quite an unusual horse as he won the Feltham over three miles at Kempton and the Kingmaker over two miles at Warwick, and not many horses can do that."

If there is a chink in the French import's armoury it could be his jumping.

Many analysts have pointed out that he was far from fluent when victorious at Kempton, while he made a couple of mistakes at Warwick.

He again made a few crucial errors at the Festival in March, but his owner believes a long season was to blame more than a lack of jumping ability.

"I think it's a bit unfair to say he's a bad jumper as Cheltenham was the end of a long season for him," Waley-Cohen continued.

"He was only a four-year-old, rising five, and I would be very surprised if we don't see significant improvement.

"Cheltenham was probably just a run too many and apart from that one blip, his record as a novice completely outstrips what anything else achieved.

"It's a very competitive race and a lot of horses have chances, which is what you expect in a big handicap.

"But I also take comfort from the fact that Rubi Ball, who he beat a couple of times in France last year, won a Grade One for older horses at Auteuil on Sunday."

Great Endeavour is 7lb higher in the weights than when winning the Byrne Group Plate at the Festival in March.

Trainer David Pipe is pleased with the six-year-old grey's condition, but reaffirmed his belief that Long Run will be very difficult to beat.

"He's summered very well and has been doing good work at home, but like I said earlier in the week, I think Long Run will probably win," said the Pond House handler.

"Hopefully we won't be too far behind. He did very well to win at the Festival last season as he was a novice taking on seasoned handicappers.

"Second-season novices have a good record in this so let's hope we can keep it up.

"He wouldn't want it too soft, but they've all got to go on it."

The Paddy Power Gold Cup is one of the few major National Hunt prizes still to elude champion trainer Paul Nicholls, who this year fires three bullets in Poquelin, Gwanako and Tchico Polos.

Poquelin finished second 12 months ago but carries top weight this time around.

Tchico Polos won the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter earlier this month, while Gwanako is one of the outsiders.

"Poquelin is in good form, but he has plenty of weight," said Nicholls.

"Ian Popham is riding him and he takes a handy 5lb off, with Ruby (Walsh) being injured.

"Tchico Polos won the Haldon Gold Cup from 5lb out of the handicap and has got a 5lb penalty, which sort of puts him on the same mark.

"He's actually gone up 9lb so arguably he's well in. The other day at Exeter was his target, really, and there is nothing else for him.

"This might come a bit quick, but he's in good form so we're going to let him run.

"Gwanako needs to improve on what he's done so far."

Edgbriar is an interesting contender for Paul Webber, having last month won over course and distance.

"He's in very, very good form and he goes well at the track," said Oxon-based Webber.

"He was second to Hey Big Spender in January, who won the other day, and he (Edgbriar) won there (Cheltenham) first time out this season.

"I thought about waiting for Liverpool but an awful lot can happen in a week.

"He might not get another chance in a race like this off this weight so we'll give it a go.

"It's highly competitive, so I just hope he runs well."