Big day for Long Run at Haydock
Last updated on .From the section Horse Racing
For the second year running, the six or so minutes of Haydock's Betfair Chase look critical for the leading contenders.
In 2011, Kauto Star's career was on the line, with friends and foes alike wondering increasingly loudly if the 10-year old, who'd been pulled up in his previous race, at Punchestown, should call it a day.
However, those sceptics were dramatically silenced by an explosive performance.
Positively brutal in its efficiency, the tables were well and truly turned on Long Run, five years his junior and his conqueror in the previous season's King George V1 Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup.
"Retirement? Not on your life," roared BBC Radio 5 live's commentator John Hunt as Kauto Star, himself the winner of two Gold Cups, galloped to a truly famous victory.
A few weeks later, back in the King George, he repeated the whole process, with Long Run again at the receiving end of a bashing.
Kauto Star returns to Haydock for this year's race, but, now retired, he will simply be there to parade for his fans before allowing the runners a clear run at the prestigious Grade 1 prize.
No one will be happier at his absence than the team around Long Run.
Although they were the ones who originally dethroned the record-breaking champion, he returned the compliment with interest last season.
The younger horse, ridden by amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen, looked to have his heart 'broken'; now he must demonstrate the pieces have all been stitched back together again.
But even with the absence of 2010 Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander, who misses the race with an injury, there is another prominent Cheltenham Festival achiever.
The Giant Bolster, named after a mythical Cornish ogre, put in a gigantic performance at 50-1 to finish second behind the ill-fated Synchronised in this year's Gold Cup.
But being part of the small Cotswold team of top jockey-turned-trainer David Bridgwater, plenty have been happy to dismiss his run as something of a fluke.
A prominent finish at Haydock would go a long way to forcing those particular critics back into the undergrowth.
So big days for Long Run and The Giant Bolster.
The bad news, however, is that also present is Wetherby winner Silviniaco Conti, representing Kauto Star's trainer Paul Nicholls, and seen as having the potential to be the stable's next champion.
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The great thing about the jumps is you see the horses year after year.
Wonderful.
I suggest any doubters have a close inspection of his racing record over fences...22 wins and 4 placings from 26 starts with mitigating circumstances for each defeat.
You obviously weren't around in the 60s and the rules of racing were changed,such was his dominance,one handicap if he ran and another if he didn't. He is rightly rated at least 21 lbs above Kauto Star and Best Mate and won 3 Gold Cups which would have become 6 but for a premature end to his career aged 9.
Kauto Star has achieved as much if not more than he ever achieved.
Best Mate too did - he won 3 Gold Cups in a row!
I couldn't agree more.
I don't know why but I really do have a sneaky feeling tidal Bay is gonna do the business!!
Meanwhile,Long Run should be far more forward for this race than he was for last years renewal and I can see him winning it this time.
I feel Paul Nicholls has one or two better chasers than Silvianico Conti in his yard currently.
As for this year I've not convinced Long Run can get back to the top table, couldn't win the worst Gold Cup in history and always likely to chuck in a mistake or two.
Silvianaco Conti is the potential star here - disappointing last season but could be a star this...