Horse racing: Cheltenham beckons for Longsdon pair

CHARLIE Longsdon sent his first ever three runners on the 674-mile round trip to Musselburgh from his Oxfordshire base and was rewarded with a double on Saturday.

Cross Of Honour (4-6 fav) and West Brit (8-1) made the long journey home more comfortable. Cheltenham may be on the cards for both winners, with the young trainer saying of Cross Of Honour, who won the John Smith’s Novices’ Hurdle: “We’ve always thought he was a nice horse and he’s got Cheltenham entries.”

West Brit could be heading for the Triumph Hurdle after his win in the John Smith’s Scottish Triumph Hurdle (Juvenile). Brian Ellison saddled first and third in the John Smith’s Scottish County Hurdle as Stormy Weather (13-2) and Dontpaytheferryman sandwiched top weight Ubi Ace in the feature race.

Given a perfect waiting ride by Denis O’Regan, the grey was in receipt of 21lb from Ubi Ace, who seemed to have the race won with a length advantage at the final flight but he was caught close home. “If he gets in, he’ll go to the County Hurdle,” said Ellison of the winner.

Bold Sir Brian (11-10 fav) continued the fine recent run of Lucinda Russell’s yard with an effortless win in the John Smith’s Future Champions Novices’ Chase.

Donald McCain’s Tara Royal turned the John Smith’s Scottish Champion Chase into a procession, sprinting clear of Woody Waller for a four-and-a-half-length win.

“It’s good to have him back. Once or twice he flattered to do that over hurdles in those sort of races,” said McCain. “He fractured his pelvis a week before Cheltenham last year and it’s been a long road back.”

Kate Walton’s Everaard (13-2) prevailed in a tight finish for the John Smith’s Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle.