Effectively, he implied he wasn't that in favour of Kauto running if the wanted to have a real crack at a 5th King George. The conditions of the Hennessy might suit, and he'd run well, but the effort expended might mean he 'leaves the King George behind'.

Actually PN said in today's RP 'Clive dosn't want to talk about it until Monday. We are going to canter him and make a decision after that. Clive's very keen, and I can see why, but while there are lots of points in his favour, there are also lots against. The race is still two weeks away and I don't want to be forced into a decision'.
So I disagree with you Joci club and CV.
I still think he will run. With everything except Denman and Neptune running out of the handicap means most are carrying penalties. Madison is 7lb out and Diamond and Wierd are 12lb out. Looking at it a different way that reduces KS actual weight to 11st 5lb or 11 st compared with those out of the handicap. And none of these have been dropped to their weights they are all raised so they may not be as good as their weight.
I've gone on a limb and backed him at all prices from the outset because I think Clive will run him. I think he waited to see how dangerous Long Run would be hence no decision until Monday.
I could be wrong but PN's statement is not a negative to me.

Where has PN said he would leave the KG behind if he ran in the Hennessy? I've seen all of the feeds and read the news he hasn't made any negative statements at all. He just said Clive is keen to run. PN hasn't said it would be difficult giving the weight to Denman or Neptune, he hasn't said anything about Newbury or the ground or anything like that, or carryig 11st 12lb. He has made no comments like that at all.
I think they have waited to see what Long Run did and what kind of opposition he would be in the KG. They have an idea now so it's decision time. I think yes, he runs.

This is looking like a great shout at 25/1 now best price 6/1 ding dong..Diamond Harry, Weird Al (wish i got on at 25's) & Hey Big Spender for me in this..Looks a wide open race though like previous comments suggest..Would love to see Denman win it again but i think this year is a year to many for the tank..This is going to be a grrrreat race..

today on c4 brigust[;)]

Weird Al still a big threat even from 12 lbs out of handicap - Pandorama potentially interesting too.

Great race even without Kauto, stellar renewal with him.

Yeah whatever CV. The 365 is nothing like the Hennessy. That is real history making. And you don't think LR was/is still the danger, are you kidding? The bookies do even after the other day. And he was even shorter before the PP. No, I'm batting for a run, always have been. Anything else is a cop out. I think CS will think that as well and bite the bullet.

Long Run has show his liking for Kempton. He's run twice at Cheltenham, and run, though respectably, below expectations. We might see a different horse on Boxing Day, on a flatter track with a greater emphasis on speed. Saturday might not have been his day, but his day may still come.

We might see a better Long Run but Kauto has run three 180+ races at Kempton in the last 3 years. No 5yo is capable of running to that mark over 3m. So Long Run may improve as he is still young horse, so it's unfair to judge him so young, but it's close to impossible to believe he can win baring a fall/blunder from Kauto and IC.

Yes a sghame, however he would have had a very hard task winning off 190 - he would have had to have run around 200 to win off such a rating. With the weights set to rise it may bring in the Weird Al, Pandorama, and Burton Port horses.

I quite like Burton Port myself. Each season he seems to demontrate the sort of qualities I like in horses I back - he wins quite often!

Weird Al and Neptune Collonges stand out big time for me in this.

I'm torn because I think it's great Sam Thomas rides Denman and it would be nice for him to win it, however if PN hasn't run KS because of Denman I look forward to Pandorama with the weights rise. But don't follow me because I thought KS was sure to run. Kept digging.

I have to agree with Woodworm. Dropped 10b due to being off, must have a big chance and may be the reason KS doesn't run. I think KS would have given the 8lb to Denman.

Pando won't be a non runner even if the race is called of. Runs no matter what.

No money asking to back Burton Point, is this a possible non runner now, I felt it had a massive chance.

Diamond Harry is a shorter price as he thrashed him on the bridle giving tonnes of weight in the Fixed Brush race at Haydock. He doesn't run as well as the season progresses but first time out on soft ground and  flat left handed track, he's very useful. Burton Port's form from Aintree doesn't look that great (second Dance Island beaten miles off 137 on Saturday), his Ascot win is not up to much and he ran like he needed further in the RSA Chase. The key may be the ground so could be worth waiting until we know more.

pretty sure this race is further?

problem with neptune collognes is probably the lay off. Market suggests that aswell, imo i think taranis could be the nicholls horse. Obviously only had 1 run since he's been off aswell but a break didn't stop him at cheltenham.

A fixed brush hurdle race isn't quite the same as a Hennessey though is it, and has Diamond Harry shown the same level of form in a competitive chase yet ?

For Burton Port to show any sort of form at Aintree let alone win the race, having run such a massive race in the RSA says he's high class in my opinion. Add to the rate of improvement the Henderson horse showed through the season suggests he's a much better horse than he was when being beaten by DH over hurdles.

shevvy, i think at the end of last season burton port was a better horse. at the start, judging on the fixed brush form i think DH was the better horse. if diamond harry brushes up on his jumping and can jump as well as burton port in the hennessy then i cant see burton port finishing in front of harry. problem is god only knows how harry is goin t jump until we see him. might b a good in running bet though