CHIPPING Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon broke new ground by saddling his first winner in Ireland when Snow Leopardess landed a Listed bumper at Gowran Park.

A winner on her Doncaster debut before finishing fifth at Aintree’s Grand National meeting, The grey claimed the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Mucklemeg Mares Flat Race by three and three-quarter lengths from Takeittothelimits under Jamie Codd.

Longsdon said: “I’ve always loved her. The owner (Marietta Fox-Pitt) is a great friend of Jessica Harrington, and after running at Aintree she said why not go for this race.

“We didn’t expect it to be quite as strong.”

“She has grown and strengthened over the summer. She jumps brilliantly and we will probably start her (over hurdles) at two miles, but she needs two and a half.”

Snow Leopardess’s victory was the highlight of a successful week for Longsdon, who racked up five winners on these shores.

Midnight Shot (7-4 favourite) and Tinted Rose (9-4) combined to land an 8-1 double at Fontwell.

Aidan Coleman made all the running on Midnight Shot to take a handicap hurdle over two miles and three furlongs by three and thee-quarter lengths from Zarib, before powering home Tinted Rose by four lengths in a National Hunt Flat Race over an extended two miles and a furlong.

Ready Token repeated his course and distance win of last May when returning to Warwick to make all the running under Richard Johnson for a five-lengths verdict over Follow The Swallow in a three-mile handicap chase.

The champion jockey was also on board as Definitly Grey defied top weight by a length from Spring Steel in a handicap hurdle over an extended two and a half miles at Southwell and Germany Calling led from pillar to post at Bangoe-on-Dee.

The victory was a timely boost after the trainer’s well-regarded Atlantic Gold had suffered a fatal injury half-an-hour earlier.