Kauto Star was denied the chance to win a record fifth King George VI chase at Kempton on Saturday.

The iconic horse, ridden by AP McCoy for the first time in the absence of the injured Ruby Walsh, had to settle for third as the inspired Long Run created history.

The winner’s stablemate Riverside Theatre came in second, 12 lengths behind Long Run.

Cheltenham festival betting pundits note how Amateur Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen produced a memorable performance on the Nicky Henderson-trained horse, which is owned by his father Robert. Waley-Cohen Said: “Long Run is a phenomenal horse and I’m so pleased he’s shown people what he is capable of.”

Kauto Star meanwhile, showed signs of moving into the twilight of his career as he struggled to keep pace with the eventual winner. The 11-year-old’s fate was sealed after a mistake at the penultimate fence allowed his rival to move away for the win.

Kauto Star’s trainer Paul Nicholls believes his horse never looked like troubling Long Run. He said: “Sometimes when you watch him, you know he’s going to win but I never thought that today.”

“He just looked like he had lost half a yard around here at the age of 11.” He added.

The two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner will now be assessed ahead of the Cheltenham festival with a view of launching for the famous Gold Cup.

Speculation over his future in racing was raised after the King George VI Chase, but Nicholls announced on Twitter that he will go for a historic third win.