Poquelin has the power to beat Long Run, says Stewart
Poquelin's owner Andy Stewart says he isn't scared of taking on exciting chasing prospect Long Run in next month's Paddy Power Gold Cup, even if his horse has to give weight away.
The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding begins his campaign in the Grade 2 Old Roan Chase at Aintree on Saturday, with his next target being a clash with Nicky Henderson's rising star at Cheltenham.
The seven-year-old was beaten into second by Tranquil Sea in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last season and will have to concede 6lb to the current 4-1 favourite Long Run in the first major race of the jump season.
Stewart said: "I think that Long Run will go off a worthy favourite but in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham he clobbered the second last and I just feel that he is a horse that is a lot better over three miles on a flat track.
"In the bustle of a handicap around Cheltenham, I don't think that Long Run will win a Paddy Power. But given the right conditions, going right-handed and with good amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen aboard, he could win a King George."
With Ruby Walsh banned and 5lb claimer Ryan Mahon sidelined for up to two months with a broken collarbone, Stewart is on the lookout for a jockey on Saturday.
"Obviously if connections of top weight Albertas Run decide not to run at Aintree, we might see if we can get Tony McCoy," said Stewart. "I wouldn't dismiss anything."
