Henderson wary of Star quality as Long Run makes season bow

Following a novice campaign that left more questions than answers, the French import stepped up to the plate in a big way last season. Defeat in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham had many labelling the six-year-old as a hype horse, but he proved he was anything but by dethroning Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase.

Any doubts about his ability to handle Cheltenham were quashed as he left both Kauto Star and Denman in his wake in the blue riband in March, taking him to the top of the tree in the staying chase division. He will face a thorough examination on his return to action, however, with Kauto Star out for revenge as he bids to show he is no back number.

Adding further spice is the presence of last year’s Hennessy Gold Cup winner Diamond Harry and Charlie Hall Chase one-two Weird Al and Time For Rupert.

Henderson said: “I’m not particularly looking forward to it but everybody else can! Most of the opposition have got the benefit of having a run under their belts and this can’t be described as a prep race – it’s a Gold Cup trial in itself.

“I don’t see there being any problem with the track in that we know he goes left-handed as he won round Cheltenham and we know he likes flat tracks as he goes round Kempton. He’s as near to fitness as I can get him without giving him a run and everything has gone well, but we’ll just have to see.”

Although many believe four-time King George winner and dual Gold Cup hero Kauto Star is past his best, Henderson is certainly not leaving him out of calculations.

“You’re never going to write of Kauto Star – you’d be a mad man to ever write him off,” said the Seven Barrows handler. “We can all go through bad patches but we can come back from them. You couldn’t write any of them off, in all honesty. If it was a two-horse race with only one of them running I wouldn’t take it for granted. I suppose Kauto Star is under a bit of pressure tomorrow and so are we. Those other little monkeys have got it all to play for!”

Paul Nicholls is taking plenty of encouragement from the form of his string ahead of Kauto Star’s crucial start, which could determine whether one of the all-time greats ever graces the racecourse again. “He looks amazing and with the horses running so well, it bodes well,” said the champion trainer.

“He’s not been having an easy time of it at home because we worked him with Master Minded, Big Buck’s and Hinterland one day last week, so we’re keeping him up to it, just to see how he is. The spark seems to be there, he looks amazing and he does always go well fresh so we’re looking forward to it.”

Nicholls also expects Master Minded to put last month’s Aintree flop – when he trailed home last of three runners in the Old Roan Chase – behind him when he goes for back-to-back victories in the Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot today.

“Fast ground, going left-handed, doesn’t really suit him and he was hanging out to the right,” he said. “My aim is to have him at his very best for the King George. He’s improved enormously from Aintree, he worked great on Thursday. There is still improvement in him but that’s how I wanted to train him this year.”