LONG RUN LOOKS CERTAIN FOR DENMAN CHASE

LONG RUN looks sure to race in the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury as preparation for the Festival.

The six-year-old hopes to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup for the second time in his career but he faces rival Kauto Star yet again.

Owner Robert Waley-Cohen has had the Denman Chase in mind since Paul Nicholls' Champion horse beat Long Run in the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

LONG RUN TO RACE WITHOUT EAR-PLUGS IN CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP

LONG RUN is to run without ear-plugs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup against champion chaser Kauto Star.

Nicky Henderson has announced that the defending Gold Cup champion needs to have one or two changes in the hope of beating rival Kauto Star in the 2012 Festival.

As Henderson's preparations for the race may have over-relaxed Long Run, removing the ear-plugs will settle him down.

Henderson has also confirmed that Long Run might race in the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury next month as a prep-run before Cheltenham.