2012 William Hill King George VI Chase - Long Run

[@JackMilner32]

This race further enhances the claims of Sir Des Champs and Bobs Worth for me.

[@cmcg3738]

Incredibly brave from the winner who was a superb horse for 2 an a half years and doesn't get the credit he deserves because some of that time was in France and he didn't have the longevity of the great hoses he beat, because these same great horses had greater longevity than he did. They went a serious pace here when taking the conditions into account, as quick as Nacarat and Ollie Magern did in 2009 and nearly as quick as Dessie, Beau Ranger and Cybrandian did in 1987, which was the quickest a 3 mile race has ever been run over - they went even quicker then than they did in the 1988 Guineas. Long Run was a serious horse and would have been unbeatable in 4 mile Grade 1's, if such a thing existed. He stayed and stayed and stayed. In the end he went the way of the vast majority of French-breds and regressed at an earlier age than Irish and British racehorses. Which goes to show just what a freak Kauto Star was.

[@williammylchreest1294]

WOW! I love this race, it seems to bring out the best in grade 1 steeplechasers. well done long run gutsy display.

[@GBeret83]

Fantastic effort from both Captain Chris and Grand Crus in 2nd & 3rd. But at the end of the day, class does tell and the class of Long Run definitely came to the fore in this renewal of the King George. Once they cleared the final couple of hurdles it essentially became just a race on the flat. That's where the class of Long Run told the story. The guts & determination he displayed to get by Captain Chris in the final strides is exactly what makes Long Run such a great Chase horse, IMO.

[@mrbignose888]

i was never such a fan of long run but this was very very nice!!

[@conbaz106]

what a horse!!! had to dig so so deep...love it

[@peace-now]

Exactly. I backed him in early November. The champion always wins this race. I did back Captain Chris last year, but went off him. He is not in the same class as Kauto Star and Long Run.

[@CharlesOlney23]

I somehow managed to get on at 3/1 this morning and when you think about it, it was one of the bets of recent months. For once the horse was ridden the way he should have been for a long time. The horse was the biggest stayer in the race and needed to take advantage of it. Sam (no matter what people say) did well, he pushed the pace about a mile out and went for home come the straight and simply out stayed them - the horse is no good trying to come from miles back he needs to be in front.

[@uhegbu]

There have been many thrilling finishes including one. Watched the 1993 race earlier today on KZbin.

[@uhegbu]

+uhegbu To mention the comment mentioned below, I think referring to the Lexus Chase, Ireland's equivalent in the same year as this, it was as equally as enthralling.

[@mythbusterman8541]

long run's stamina is immense.

[@joebaco1112]

Long run was definitely getting lonely there once he'd hit the front great ride by Sam taking him over to race with captain chris

[@uhegbu]

Long Run prevails in a thriller but I am not sure whether he will win the Cheltenham Gold Cup again in March. Potential contenders include Silvanico Conti, Flemenstar and Captain Chris are potential dangers. Oh and Bob's Worth, too.

[@swanningaround]

Back him this year - 2013. 8/1. I think he will win again!

[@Wahman82]

Referring to the Lexus, the horse to take out of it is Sir Des Champs. Staying on again at the finish, with an extra 2+ furlongs at Cheltenahm where has already one at. With likely softish ground come March he'll come out of it best of the irish horses at least.

[@peace-now]

I don't know. I only back in certain races. I only bet on the big races, like the Japan Cup (Gentildonna), Breeders (Wise Dan and Fort Larned), Belmont (Union Rags). I took Dunaden in Hong Kong and missed out, but Ambitious Dragon came in for me.

[@peace-now]

Correct. He will win in 2013 also.

[@michaelnewell9774]

I haven't read through all comments here but how brilliant did Champion Court run, just fading in the closing stages but still a classy performance and a very good front running horse 3miles not his best trip though

[@MrConnolly25]

I backed & 'tipped up' Long Run for the King George at 4/1! if you had a little rationale you would have seen that Long Run had an extremely hard race in the King George,you would have also seen his jumping again left a little to be desired & you would have also seen the Giant Bolster didn't act on the Kempton track & had a much easier race the Long Run.

[@bhimabramantika9482]

Long run is the best..

[@Braglemaster123]

Absolutely and Sam too ‘

[@danbit5]

watched this race,that was some finish,i dont know were horse got extra strength,thought captain chris had timed his run to perfection

[@CharlesOlney23]

I think Long Run will do better on good ground and surely must be the leading player come March but I can't help thinking more of the runners in this race will turn out in the Ryanair. Captain Chris, Grands Crus, Champion Court, Riverside Theatre and Cue Card will all head that one and given how well he ran (all things considering) Cue Card will take a lot of beating in that one. The Giant Bolster should bounce back but Kauto Stone ran how you would expect on last season's form.

[@deandalton8482]

walked outta the bookies thinkin it had lost ,some comeback

[@awooga07]

As I've thought for a long time Grand Crus is a bridle horse as soon as he's asked he finds zero.

[@dchefd]

Good ground will change everything! the lexus today showed that

[@peace-now]

Tell you what. Why don't you tell us who will win the Gold Cup, not who won't. I picked Long Run for the 2012 King George and said so before the race. Why don't you tell us who will win the 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Thanks.

[@Preston5530]

You all talk about other horses would of won if the ground wasn't heavy, but in fact Longrun won well, and deserved this win, He made a brilliant come back from the last fence! So you suck it up than Longrun won! no point talking about could of won when in fact they didn't!!! they didn't have to run!! :)

[@foriamonlyahorse11]

From someone who tips up Giant Bolster for GC? PMSL!!! Long Run holds the track record at Cheltenham. He clocked a fast time for the conditions when smashing over-rated Kauto Star into oblivion in 2010 running. He won the Newbury Denman race 19 secs faster than Denman did himself on identical ground. In this race the first two were miles clear of the third. How on earth is he "over rated"? He was well below par for whatever reason in last years Gold Cup. SDC, Long Run & Bobsworth for GC.

[@Braglemaster123]

Sam is brilliant’

[@fcinter67]

What's the name of commentator, pls? ty

[@peace-now]

Really. Whats wrong with backing short priced favorites? I always back favorites - as they tend to win most races. I only back one horse though, not half a dozen.

[@MANUTD4LIFE171]

@emeraldpegasus I agree, I'm still convinced that had Hendersons stable jockey Barry Geraghty ridden this horse in last years King George against Kauto Star then Long Run would have won.

[@drofheim]

Long Run its obvious his jumping lets him down, Captain Chris was taking half a length every time they jumped.

[@pilgrimoftheworld]

I bet Long Run was a bit tired after that.

[@MrConnolly25]

it might enhance Bobs Worth's claims & he loves Cheltenham....but if you watched Sir Des Champs in the Lexus you wouldn't put a penny on him completing the course come Festival time!

[@CharlesOlney23]

To be honest though, I'm not sure defeating Captain Chris by a neck is the form desired to capture the Gold Cup and despite the fact it'll take a good one to get past him, I wouldn't back Long Run for Cheltenham unless he puts in a very good performance at Newbury come February. Am still with Bob's Worth for that. Dynaste didn't prove anything more today and would avoid all runners in the Christmas Hurdle come Cheltenham given a falsely run affair. Hurricane Fly at 11/2 still looks best value.

[@MrConnolly25]

I backed Long Run myself,don't try making out you're some sort of superstar tipster tipping short price favourites in G1s lol I have backed Silviniaco Conti ew at 10s & also have The Giant Bolster at 33s & 50s.The race is wide open but Long Run has regressed,he ran way below his rating vs Silviniaco Conti & way below his rating in the King George he is also due to wear cheek-pieces at the Festival so im guessing Henderson thinks a little like me.

[@ar81093]

I'm sorry but long run just smacked all his critics in the face...he was practically dead and gone there in the final furlong!! What a horse

[@emmaspedding3336]

uhegbu what about sir des champs first liuetenant and tidal bay

[@ANDYPOW1982130]

captain chris will beat long run on next time

[@peace-now]

Huh??? Long Run won. Are we looking at different races?

[@000BHVids000]

LR is a better horse than CC? no sh*t

[@daragh1234able]

John, kauto did himself no favours when he pulled up n retired

[@MrConnolly25]

I don't doubt that Long Run is a very very good horse i just think his rating is too high.Anyway even though i don't think he'll win the Gold Cup (that King George was a hard race) he should be the betting favourite & considered the 1 to beat.I feel his lack of fluency over fences will cost him,a comment that also applies to Sir Des Champs.

[@GARETHWOODWARD6442]

Longrun just needs a better jockey

[@MrConnolly25]

Check ie how many favourites have won at the last 3 Festivals calculate how much you'd return of a level £1 stake on all of them then take away how many races weren't won by the fav & see how much you'd have lost.I'd rather bet on horses who weren't regressive but good luck with your fav betting.

[@peace-now]

Overrated? I don't think so. Long Run is a champ.

[@peace-now]

I cacked CC in 2011. Got sick of him and switched to LR for 2012. I think LR is a better horse and SWC is a better jockey than RJ.

[@MrConnolly25]

Sir Des Champs will fall if he jumps like he did in the Lexus at Cheltenham.The Gold Cup will not be run as slowly as the Lexus either so i'd say Sir Des Champs has very little chance in the Gold Cup.

[@MrConnolly25]

I enjoyed this race but i have to agree with Markads..Long Run is extremely overrated!Come Festival time i'd be extremely disapointed if Long Run were to win & i suspect Bobs Worth will take some beating at a track he likes,also a mention for The Giant Bolster who clearly disliked the track.I have a suspicion that Silviniaco Conti was just well placed to beat Long Run earlier so if Bobs Worth fails we could have an upset in the Gold Cup as the Irish hype horses have been found out by a 12 yr old

[@sandcastlejim]

poor jumping. amateur jockey. great horse.