Witney Sport
RACING: Scottish raid is hailed success
10:34am Wednesday 15th February 2012
Charlie Longsdon’s enterprise in sending three runners on the 674-mile round trip from his Chipping Norton base to Musselburgh was rewarded with a double.
Wins by Cross Of Honour (4-6 fav) and West Brit (8-1) made the trek from his snowbound Hull Farm stables more comfortable as the up-and-coming trainer continued his impressive season.
Longsdon, who was having his first runners at the Scottish track, said: “That makes the journey worthwhile. It took eight and a half hours to get here.”
Cross Of Honour posted a three-lengths success from the Donald McCain-trained Ebanour under Felix de Giles in the John Smith’s Novices’ Hurdle over two and a half miles.
And Paddy Brennan was in the saddle as West Brit landed the two-mile John Smith’s Scottish Triumph Hurdle by three and a quarter lengths from Kie. Cheltenham may now be on the cards for both winners, with Longsdon saying of Cross Of Honour: “We’ve always thought he was a nice horse and he’s got Cheltenham entries.”
West Brit could go for the Triumph Hurdle.
“He was favourite last time, but his wind caught him out in bad ground, so he’s had a little operation,” added Longsdon. “We put him in the Triumph and he had to win for us to consider it.”
The double took Longsdon’s tally for the season to 54 after he struck with Secret Tune at Kempton.