Long Run Doing Brisk Business: Bookmakers

The pride of Nicky Henderson's yard hasn't had the best of year's but the bookmakers have made it clear that punters still have plenty of hope in Long Run's ability to get the victory over Kauto Star and scoop back to back Cheltenham Gold Cup's.

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The talented seven-year-old son of Cadoudal has only been able to notch two second-place efforts this year – running behind the living legend out of the Nicholls yard on both occasions. It's a story that has dominated the longer distance chases this season and it looks set to continue into festival time as Kauto Star is said to be improving daily in his training sessions.

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The latest news from the Nicholls yard is said to be that Kauto Star will move towards Wincanton for a gallop after the days racing alongside stablemate Mon Parrain. The original intention had been to work him alongside Big Buck's at Ditcheat but it appears as though Nicholls believes this to be the best use of Kauto Star's time.

Having taken a bad fall last week in a schooling session with Ruby Walsh up, Kauto Star was declared to be “50/50” at one point.

Long Run has been trading as the favourite for the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup since just a few minutes after winning the 2011 iteration. Most bookmakers have taken him up to 5/4 from even money after Kauto Star's Cheltenham forecast improved markedly.

Kauto Star continues to trade at a 4/1 margin. With Kauto Star heading into the Gold Cup, which isn't confirmed but is starting to look more likely by the day, it appears as though Grands Crus will be steered elsewhere so that has prompted a bit of movement in the odds over the last few days. Expect a very interesting 48 hours as Cheltenham targets start getting firmed up.