Handing of baton an epic farewell to Seven Barrows for Symonds
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Eyewitness tale
Tom Symonds, the then 26-year-old assistant to Nicky Henderson, reflects on the yard’s first Gold Cup win
We sensed a changing of the guard in the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup. The six-year-old Long Run, winner of the King George after it was delayed until January, went head-to-head with chasing heavyweights Kauto Star and Denman, both former winners of the Cheltenham showpiece. And the trio served up a right epic, jumping the second-last together before Long Run stormed clear by seven lengths.
The fact they got there, in one piece, and jumped the last was just phenomenal. Kauto Star and Denman really transcended the sport and then Long Run came along. It was just one of those amazing days. I had a tremendous amount of faith in him, but for me it was never a surprise.
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Published on inCheltenham Festival
Last updated
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