LONG RUN is to travel north of the border for the Ivan Straker Memorial Chase later this week as connections head to Kelso in search of better ground.

The Kempton Park Chase, formerly known as the Racing Plus Chase, on February 22 had been earmaked as a target for the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero, who was last seen when unseating his rider in the King George on Boxing Day.

However, the promise of better ground, combined with a less competitive race, has proved an irresistible lure for owner Robert Waley-Cohen and trainer Nicky Henderson.

‘‘It’s a Class Two race, not a Class One, and it’s just a case of going where the ground is best,’’ said Waley- Cohen.

‘‘Kelso is good to soft and Kempton raced last Friday on heavy ground.

‘‘It will be nice for him to have a race that’s not one of the toughest of the season.

‘‘The horse is fine. We just don’t really want to go on very heavy ground. The Denman Chase at Newbury last weekend was an option, but there was no way we would run on that ground.

‘‘The forecast is for torrential rain again later this week and the ground is good to soft at Kelso, so it makes sense to take the opportunity.’’ Long Run has not tasted victory since landing the 2012 King George and his three runs this seasons have all yielded unplaced finishes - the first occasions in the gelding’s career when he has not made the frame.

Should he bounce back to winning form, Long Run is entered once again for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup as well as the Crabbie’s Grand National.

‘‘We’ll see how it goes, but Aintree is definitely an option,’’ said Waley-Cohen.

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Trainer Willie Mullins took the ante-post favourite for the Racing Post Arkle Trophy out of the Leopardstown Grade One at the final declaration stage.

However, Mullins has not ruled out getting a race into him before next month’s big meeting.

‘‘He’s fine. There’s a race for him next Sunday but we’ll see how he is during the week,’’ he said.

‘‘I’d have no problems going straight to Cheltenham, though.

‘‘He looks Arkle material.’’