CHIPPING Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon paid tribute to Loose Chips's battling qualities after the gelding recorded his fourth Kempton success.

The ten-year-old put in a fine round of jumping under Noel Fehily to triumph in an incident-packed three-mile handicap chase.

While he bowled along at the head of affairs before holding off Port Melon by a length, seven of the 13-strong field failed to complete the course.

"He likes it here," said Longsdon of the 9-1 chance. "He is a quirky old lad, but he has run consistently all season and should have won at Ascot.

"He has had a little break since his last run when he was a bit lame behind, but he wears his heart on his sleeve every time and when he is on a going day he is tough to beat.

"There was carnage behind and he jumps and jumps and loves it."

Loose Chips, who was winning for the fifth successive campaign, was Longsdon's 62nd success of the season, which saw him return his best prize-money haul of £624,005.

Chastleton trainer John Gallagher plans to give Ladweb a break after he followed up his recent Ripon win by scoring at Doncaster.

The six-year-old galloped on strongly in the hands of Patrick O'Donnell to beat Pensax Lad by a length in a five-furlong handicap.