Trainer Jim Culloty has backed Long Run and Sizing Europe to be two of the stars of this week’s Cheltenham Festival.
Long Run, 13/8 with bookmaker to win the Gold Cup for the second consecutive year, is widely expected to shine in Friday’s showpiece race, with Culloty expecting him to see off the challenges of the likes of Kauto Star.
He said: “We know he loves it there and I believe Long Run will emerge the winner.”
Meanwhile, Culloty believes that Sizing Europe will be the star of the week in the Champion Chase on Wednesday, adding: “He doesn’t know how to run a bad race and I can’t see him doing so this year.”
Twelve months ago, Sizing Europe romped home by five lengths from Big Zeb, with favourite Master Minded way back in eighth place.
