CHIPPING Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon praised jockey Graham Watters after he rode his first winner for the yard with a thrilling short-head success on Masterplan at Ascot.
Watters, who was previously attached to Lucinda Russell’s Arlary stables in Scotland, joined Longsdon three weeks ago.
And he made the most of his opportunity on 16-1 shot Masterplan by making all the running before holding off Duke Des Champs’s late charge in a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle over an extended two miles and five furlongs on Friday.
Longsdon said: “He gave him a lovely ride. I had been looking for an experienced conditional and he was worth every ounce of his 3lb claim today.”
Masterplan was winning at Ascot for the second time this season after his victory there at the end of October.
Longsdon’s hopes of further success at the Berkshire track with Pendra were dashed when the seven-year-old finished fifth in Saturday’s Sodexo Silver Cup Handicap Chase after a less than fluent jump at the last fence when holding every chance.
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