Waley-Cohen's retain faith in Long Run

Robert Waley-Cohen believes Long Run is still the most "exciting young chaser in the country" despite his defeat in last week's RSA Chase at Cheltenham.

The French import arrived on British soil with a huge reputation and looked the real deal when winning the Feltham at Kempton and the Kingmaker at Warwick.

The five-year-old was ultimately well held in finishing third at the Festival but his owner feels he will benefit hugely from a summer break.

"He's come out of it absolutely fine and he's still run a very good race," said Waley-Cohen.

"He's been on the go a very long time and you'd have to say he hasn't got up the hill.

"He'll go out in the field now as he ran twice in novice chases last May and needs a good break.

"People were disappointed but to put it in context, he's run in four Grade One novice chases, which I don't think any other horse has done, he's won two and finished second and third.

"On top of that he's won a Grade Two, a Grade Three and a Listed race, so it's not a bad record!

"He's still only a five-year-old and another thing to consider is when Star De Mohaison won the RSA Chase as a five-year-old, he was getting 10lb from the older horses, whereas we were only getting 1lb.

"They've obviously changed the rules and I don't know which is right, but they can't both be right.

"I still think he's the most exciting young chaser in the country."

Looking to next season, the King George VI Chase at Kempton would appear a logical target given his course win in the Feltham, but Waley-Cohen's pride and joy is likely to head somewhere else beforehand.

There has also been criticism in some quarters for Long Run's jockey and the owner's son Sam, but Waley-Cohen insists he will not lose the ride.

"We'll obviously look at the King George but he'll have a run somewhere first, if not two," the owner continued.

"The King George is likely to be his three-mile target of the season but for the rest of the season he's likely to run over two and a half miles or two miles and five furlongs.

"There's the Old Roan Chase at Aintree to look at, the Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot and also the Paddy Power Gold Cup, where Sam could claim 5lb.

"There is no question of Sam losing the ride and win, lose or draw it's his ride.

"The only way he won't ride him is if he isn't available and as long as he is available, he will ride.

"He's won a Grade One and a Grade Two on him and I think the lesson we've learned from Cheltenham is the horse isn't straightforward, he wouldn't be straightforward no matter who was on him."