Owner Robert Waley-Cohen believes Long Run is back to his best ahead of his bid to retain his William Hill King George VI Chase crown at Kempton on Boxing Day.

The six-year-old gelding was beaten by Kauto Star on his reappearance in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

But Waley-Cohen, who lives at Edgehill, near Banbury, feels the Nicky Henderson-trained gelding is all the better for the outing and deserves his place as the firm favourite for the Christmas spectacular.

He said: “I think he’s back. We are the reigning champ and the odds reflect it. We are 5-4 and Kauto Star is 4-1.

“I think Kauto Star will probably be shorter on the day because there is a huge amount of hope.

“People normally get behind the reigning champion, they want to see a great champ, and see him confirm that he is the real thing.

“But on this occasion everyone wants to see the old boy have a last hurrah and win for an unprecedented fifth time in the King George.

“It’s not a two-horse race. It’s a very impressive line-up. I know it’s not a big field, but it’s a proper, serious Grade 1 race.

“If it comes down to pure speed, Master Minded is a champion at two miles in a Grade 1 race and at two and a half miles.”