Long Run has a lot to prove, says Andy Stewart

Leading owner Andy Stewart believes Long Run will have to win tomorrow's Paddy Power Gold Cup if he is going to be up to scoring at the highest level this season.

Stewart's famous colours will be carried by top-weight Poquelin, who was second in the race 12 months ago, as well as Gwanako at Cheltenham.

Nicky Henderson's Long Run has been all the rage for the first major handicap chase of the new National Hunt season and many have him down as a possible challenger for top honours this season. He is second favourite behind Kauto Star in the betting for the King George VI Chase at Kempton, but Stewart feels he has to improve hugely to challenge the four-time winner.

"If Long Run is going to be a Grade 1 horse, firstly he has to jump properly, and secondly, off a mark of 158, he should be able to go and win the Paddy Power easily," said Stewart.

"We've done him a favour keeping Poquelin in because otherwise the weights would have gone up 6lb and that could make the difference. If they think this horse is going to give Kauto Star a run for his money, he has got to be winning this and the Ryanair Chase or the Gold Cup.''