Timeform has rated Long Run on 184 following his Cheltenham Gold Cup win, making him the highest-rated jumps horse in training.
Timeform rate Long Run the best around
Timeform has rated Long Run on 184 following the horse's win in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday, making him the highest-rated jumps horse in training.
This figure is well ahead of a normal winner of the race but comes at a time when top-notch chase performances have been more common than usual.
The second and third Denman and Kauto Star (of course both past winners of the Cheltenham Gold Cup) are now rated 177 and 168 respectively, having been 183 and 191 in their prime.
The other big-race winners at the Cheltenham Festival have been rated as follows: Champion Hurdle winner Hurricane Fly 168 (highest in race since 169-rated Rooster Booster in 2003); Champion Chase winner Sizing Europe 171 (best since 179-rated Master Minded in 2008); and Big Buck's remains on 174+, having not had to run to his very best in winning the World Hurdle for third year in row, the steady gallop stopping him from producing the sort of performance of which he's surely well capable.
Timeform spokesman Kieran Packman said: "Friday saw a most memorable renewal of the Gold Cup, bringing together, amongst others, a truly top-notch up-and-comer in Long Run and a pair of outstanding veterans in Denman and Kauto Star, neither of whom were at their imperious best but both ran hugely creditable races to be placed and provide plenty of substance to the form itself.
"Similar comments apply to the Champion Hurdle, which had promised for much of the season to be the strongest renewal for several years and, although Binocular was absent, it more than lived up to its billing, the first two good enough to have won at least 7 of the last 8 runnings.
"The qualities traditionally required of a Champion Hurdle winner, a good turn of foot, the ability to travel strongly and slick jumping, were all in evidence from the winner.
"Although a thrilling contest, a steady pace greatly dilutes the bare form of the World Hurdle, the time more than 10 seconds slower than the Pertemps Final, and the leading pair were significantly more superior to the rest than they were able to show on the day.
"It's hard to see Big Buck's being defeated anytime soon, passing through a new challenge as he faced Grands Crus for the first time and completing it in much the same style as previously; he's an exceptional racehorse."
Highest Timeform Ratings (Chasers)
212 Arkle
210 Flyingbolt
191 Kauto Star, Mill House
187 Desert Orchid
186 Dunkirk
184+ Moscow Flyer
184 Burrough Hill Lad, Long Run
