Robert Waley-Cohen (left), owner of Long Run, believes the steeplechaser can still improve after winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup by seven lengths

By Frank Keogh BBC Sport

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run is destined to become the highest-rated steeplechaser for decades, his owner has told BBC Sport.

The youngest horse for 48 years to win steeplechasing's blue riband event could go on to better Kauto Star, said Robert Waley-Cohen.

"I've believed for a long time that he is going to be the highest-rated horse we have ever seen," he said.

His son Sam became the first amateur jockey to win the Gold Cup in 30 years when he saw off previous winners Denman and Kauto Star on Friday.

We have just demolished the best in England and Ireland. What more can you do? He's only six. Robert Waley-Cohen

Long Run, trained by Nicky Henderson, beat Denman by seven lengths despite some imperfect jumping around the undulating Gloucestershire track.

"He will be a better horse if he matures and he will be a better horse if he jumps properly," said Robert, who will shortly become chairman of Cheltenham racecourse after Lord Vestey steps down.

Rivals of Long Run, who also left Kauto Star trailing in third when winning the King George VI Chase at Kempton in January, should "be very afraid" as he believes the horse could still be much better.

"The incredible thing is there was room for improvement, I think, even though he won by seven lengths," he said of the first six-year-old to triumph since Mill House in 1963.

Before the race, 2010 winner Imperial Commander was the horse currently in training with the highest official rating on 185, with both Denman and Long Run next on 179.

Kauto Star topped the charts in recent times when earning a mark of 190 following his record fourth straight King George win in 2009.

The official British Horseracing Authority ratings do not go back to the time of Arkle, a Gold Cup winner in the 1960s and widely considered the best chaser of all-time.

Timeform, a company that provides statistics on racehorses, rated Arkle at 212 using its own system. The Irish horse sits ahead of stablemate Flyingbolt (210) with Mill House and Kauto Star (191) next.

Giving his view that Long Run could go on to prove the highest-rated modern chaser, Waley-Cohen senior added: "I don't remember Arkle and I don't know how 212 relates to our present system, but I do mean more than the 190 that Kauto Star peaked at.

"He entered the Gold Cup rated 179. We have just demolished the best in England and Ireland. What more can you do? He's only six."

Having become the 10th horse in history to claim both the King George and Gold Cup in one season, there may be another short-term target.

The French-bred gelding could feasibly return to the land of his birth for a tilt at one of France's top races, possibly the Grand Steeplechase de Paris over three miles and five furlongs at Auteil in May.

No British-trained horse has landed the race, sometimes referred to as the French Gold Cup, since Mandarin won for Fulke Walwyn in 1962.

"I was actually based in France for a while so I enjoy the French hospitality and Auteil is such a wonderful course," said Sam, 28.

"I think we will have to go back and have a proper think. He has two potential options there. He could go for the Champion Hurdle in France or the Grand Steeplechase de Paris and they are both races we will have a look at."

After the Gold Cup, the Waley-Cohens are looking to April's Grand National

Long Run was paraded at Henderson's Seven Barrows stable in Lambourn, Berkshire, on Saturday morning.

The trainer said a trip to France was under consideration, although the French rules on amateur riders, as they stand, could prevent Sam from riding.

"Of the other races, he'd more likely go Aintree because Punchestown is in May and that frightens me a little bit because of the [possible fast] ground," said the trainer.

Henderson's former stable jockey Mick Fitzgerald said Long Run has the potential to surpass Best Mate's Gold Cup treble.

"Why can't he win four? It would be amazing to think of that," said the BBC 5Live pundit.

"He's got youth on his side. He's younger than Best Mate was when he won his first Gold Cup so there's no reason he won't.

"He will be lightly campaigned as well. He's trained by a man who is brilliant at getting horses ready for the big day. He will campaign the horse all around getting him there for the King George and Gold Cup. They will be the two races he'll want to win with him."

The Waley-Cohens clearly have a sense of adventure and are also plotting to add to their trophies by winning the Grand National at Aintree on 9 April.

Sam, who has performed with distinction in several other races over the National fences, will ride leading contender Oscar Time, who is also owned by his father and trained in Ireland by old friend Martin Lynch.

"I said I would have to win the Grand National before I get married," joked Sam, whose 29th birthday is six days after the race at Aintree.

He will cap an interesting few months when pal Kate Middleton is married to Prince William three weeks later, with his own wedding to Annabel Ballin in June.

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