Amateur jockey pulls off surprise win

Sam Waley-Cohen steered Long Run to victory in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Saturday

AMATEUR jockey Sam Waley-Cohen pulled off one of the surprises of the season when he steered Long Run to victory over odds-on favourite Kauto Star in Saturday's re-scheduled William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Park.

It was one of five stunning winners on the card for Seven Barrows trainer Nicky Henderson, shaking up the chase for the trainers' championship and slashing his odds from 6-1 to 3-1.

Long Run came in at 9-2 after taking to the front on the turn and searing to the post.

Henderson's Riverside Theatre was second and Kauto Star, ridden by Tony McCoy, had to settle for third spot after faltering at the second to last hurdle.

It leaves Long Run as a tip for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and, said the trainer: “I think there's a good chance we'll be going there in March.

"We've always known he has a huge amount of talent and I'm so pleased he has shown it today."

Henderson's nap-hand included another major winner in Binocular, who was steered home by Tony McCoy in the similarly delayed williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle, while Nadiya De La Vega won the William Hill Novices' Chase, Chablais the Novices' Hurdle and Polyfast in the William Hill - Home Of Betting Handicap Chase following a stewards' inquiry.