RACING: Longsdon waits on Vulcanite decision (From Witney Gazette)

RACING: Longsdon waits on Vulcanite decision

2:47pm Wednesday 31st October 2012 in Sport By Russell Smith, Sports reporter specialising in horse racing. Call me on 01865 425453

Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon will let the dust settle before deciding where to aim his impressive Fakenham winner Vulcanite.

Sent off the 11-8 favourite, the well-regarded five-year-old stormed home seven lengths clear of Cheshire Prince under Tony McCoy in a two-mile handicap hurdle at the Norfolk venue.

Longsdon said: “This had been the plan with the horse for some time, so it is great when things come off.”

Now Vulcanite could go for the Racing Post Hurdle (Handicap), formerly the Greatwood Hurdle, at Chel-tenham on Sunday, November 18.

Longsdon added: “I am not yet sure what the future plans will be.

“We have always talked of the Greatwood, but let’s see how he comes out of this first.”

McCoy had ridden his first winner for Longsdon two days earlier when No No Bingo beat Rash Moment by half a length in a Fontwell handicap chase over two miles and two furlongs.

The trainer commented: “I have probably put the champion jockey on many an average horse, but it was nice to finally give him a winner.”

Longsdon’s winning run continued when Ely Brown scored a dramatic success at Aintree.

The seven-year-old looked home and hosed once he finally shrugged off Abnaki in a handicap hurdle over an extended three miles.

But Buachaill Alainn flew into contention on the run-in, and Kielan Woods’s mount just held on to win by a head.

Longsdon also saw his own colours carried to victory by Tidal Way at Bangor.

The three-year-old opened his account over timber with a seven-lengths success under Noel Fehily in a juvenile hurdle over two miles and a furlong.