The Champ – AP McCoy
Looking at the William Hill King George VΙ Chase, it’s not a surprise to see Long Run heading the market. If the ground stays testing then he is the one guaranteed to really stay. There are plenty of horses that have won over the three-mile trip, but for some like Finian’s Rainbow and Cue Card it’s a bit of an unknown, especially on the ground.
Riverside Theatre has won a Ryanair and was second to Long Run in this before. He’d have a chance in an open race. Long Run disappointed many at Haydock but he showed when he won the King George and the Gold Cup that he has plenty of stamina and is probably the most reliable.
I ride Darlan in the Christmas Hurdle and he’s done well since he was last seen. He had plenty of entries earlier in the season but the ground has been heavy so we’ve waited. The better the ground, the better the horse you’ll see but it’s Christmas and he needs a run. The Champion Hurdle looks open, at the moment that’s the plan.
I have won this with Binocular over the last two years, and with Straw Bear previously, so I’m hoping this fellow can give me another win.
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