RACING: Longsdon's waiting game (From Witney Gazette)

RACING: Longsdon's waiting game

9:52am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Sport

Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon is weighing up the options for John Smith’s Grand National entry Qhilimar after the weather scuppered an intended run at Sandown on Saturday.

The eight-year-old was due to return to Esher after making much of the running at the track a month ago before finishing third behind the impressive Hold On Julio and Neptune Collonges.

But with the Sandown fixture abandoned due to frost, Longsdon must now decide on an alternative engagement.

“He’s in really good form at the moment and his run at Sandown a month ago was probably a career-best and if Hold On Julio hadn't been in the race, I’d like to think we might have beaten Neptune Collonges,” he said.

"He has the Grand National entry and we’ll see about that nearer the time.

"He could go to Ascot next for a race on the 18th, then at Cheltenham.”

Meanwhile, Longsdon pla-ns to run Hazy Tom at Ascot later this month before aiming him towards one of the major novice hurdle prizes at the Cheltenham Festival.

Following victories in September, October and November, the six-year-old lost his unbeaten record when third behind Molotof at Ascot in December.

Longsdon feels a subsequent break has done his charge the world of good, and he remains hopeful he can prove a force this spring.

“He had a break in the second half of December and in the first half of January, but he’s back in work now and I’m very happy with him,” said the trainer.

“I don’t want to make any excuses for his last run, but there was a feeling he might have been a bit flat that day having been on the go for a while and we know he will be better on better ground.

“We’ve freshened him up and if there is no frost and the meeting goes ahead, he could go to Ascot on February 18 for a novice hurdle.

“We’ll see how he gets on there and then aim him towards either the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle or the Neptune at Cheltenham.”

Another Longsdon inmate with Cheltenham on his radar is Magnifique Etoile, winner of his first two starts over hurdles before finishing third in the Tolworth at Sandown a month ago.