Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon was fulsome in his praise for jockey Noel Fehily after he booted home Greenlaw to a first victory in almost three years at Wetherby.

Numerous injury problems have restricted the nine-year-old to just 15 previous competitive appearances, with his last triumph coming in a Towcester novices’ hurdle in the summer of 2012.

After failing to fire on his latest start at Newbury in December, Greenlaw was given a wind operation and it worked the oracle judged on his determined success in a handicap chase over an extended two miles and six furlongs at the west Yorkshire track.

The 100-30 favourite raced with plenty of zest at the head of affairs, but looked beaten when Big Casino took up the running, with Vasco D’ycy also on the scene.

But Greenlaw knuckled down after the final fence to beat the latter by a neck, with Big Casino just half a length away.

Longsdon said: “It was a power-packed ride from Noel and it was great to watch.

“It’s plain to see this horse hasn’t been the easiest to train and he’s let us down a few times in the past, but he’s had a wind operation and that’s definitely helped him.

“He’s come down to a workable mark and I’m delighted for his owners, who’ve been patient with him.

“I don’t have a plan in mind. He’s not been a very sound horse so we’ll take plenty of time with him.”

Meanwhile, Longsdon was out of luck with Kilcooley, his first runner in France, who finished seventh to Dos Santos in the Grade 3 Prix Hypothese at Auteuil, Paris.

The six-year-old led for much of the way under James Reveley, before being swamped by the home contingent in the straight.