King George Result: Long Runs edges Kempton thriller

Long Run won a thrilling King George

Long Run got up in the final stride to beat Captain Chris in a pulsating climax to the King George.

Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old was always close to a searching gallop under Sam Waley-Cohen and, despite a crippling mistake down the back, took over three out and looked well in control before briefly tying up two out.

Captain Chris, ridden much more patiently by Richard Johnson, took a clear advantage with a cleaner jump than Long Run at the last and looked certain to win before the 2011 Gold Cup winner rallied to Waley-Cohen's urgings, getting up in the final strides and ultimately prevailing by a neck.

Champion Court, the outsider of the nine-strong field, matched the winner for much of the second circuit, surrendering the lead only three out but soon paying for his earlier exertions, eventually finishing fourth behind Grands Crus, who was himself making his first start since undergoing a breathing operation.

The winner is now 8.07/1 for March's Gold Cup, with stablemate and Hennessy winner Bobs Worth still atop the betting at odds of 5.49/2.

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