The Champ Returns

This week’s betting blog looks at some mouthwatering National Hunt action, with some long-term gambling advice and a few big bets for this weekend.

The Champ Returns

After last week’s jumping feast at Cheltenham, this weekend sees the return of the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run. The race in question is the Betfair Chase at Haydock, which also features previous Gold Cup winner Kauto Star and some interesting unexposed horses coming through the ranks.

Last year Long Run confirmed the promise that he had always threatened with scintillating performances in the King George at Kempton at Christmas and, of course, the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. His performance in the King George was devastating, as he ran away from a high class field that included Kauto Star and that performance made him one of the leading lights for the blue ribbon event in March.

On to March and Long Run lined up against old warriors Denman, Kauto Star and defending champion Imperial Commander in a race for the purists to savour. The pre-race hype was all about which one of the three previous Gold Cup winners would come out on top with Cheltenham racecourse doing a roaring trade in scarves donned with the colours of these three champions.

The race itself turned into an absolute classic with the three previous champions tanking down the hill towards the third last in a line, Long Run just behind stalking the leaders. As the leaders turned into the straight, Imperial Commander cried “enough” and for a split second it looked like we might have the finish of the season between the two champions Denman and Kauto Star; these two went head-to-head but lurking just in behind them was Long Run under a confident looking Sam Waley-Cohen. Between the last two Kauto Star wilted and it was left to Denman to try to fend off the young pretender. However, try as he might, Long Run flew the last and careered away up the famous Cheltenham hill to the delight of the thousands of punters who had made him the 7/2 favourite.

This Weekend’s Gambling Advice

Back to this Saturday and hopefully Long Run can show us that last year’s success was not just a one off.  However, his season will not be defined by one run and he might just need the outing on his way to bigger and better things later in the season. After taking this into consideration this betting blog will be backing the unexposed Weird Al at around the 7/1 mark, who put the much-hyped Time For Rupert firmly in his place last time up. And as much I would love to see Kauto Star prevail I fear Old Father Time may have caught up with him.

However the race pans out it should, give us some pointers to the rest of the jumps season.