CHIPPING Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon has paid tribute to Sharp Rise after his globe-trotting gelding’s American adventure ended in tragedy.

The nine-year-old, who finished an honourable third to Rawnaq in last month’s American Grand National at Far Hills, New Jersey, was being prepared for a crack at the Colonial Cup at Springdale, Camden, South Carolina, this Saturday.

However, after picking up an infection, the antibiotics he received triggered an acute form of colitis with colic-like symptoms.

Sharp Rise, who won nine of his 21 starts and £100,446 in prize-money, went to the vets for an operation, but they were unable to save him.

Longsdon said: “He has left a huge hole in the yard.

“You do not like to get too attached to these horses as you never know what might happen, but it was very hard not to be fond of this lad as he was so tough and hardy.

“To achieve what he did in such a short space of time is extremely hard.

“I certainly owe him a huge amount.”

Formerly trained by Pauline Robson, Sharp Rise only joined Longsdon’s Hull Farm Stables in May after being bought by owner Robert Aplin at the Goffs UK Sales at Doncaster.

But he was quick to make an impact, winning four of his six starts on these shores, before heading across the Atlantic, providing his connections with what Longsdon described as “an adventure of a lifetime”.

Meanwhile, Wells De Lune claimed a dramatic victory for the Chipping Norton handler at Wetherby.

Jumping the last fence three lengths adrift of Aerlite Supreme in a handicap chase over an extended two miles and three furlongs, the five-year-old looked set for minor honours.

But the leader idled on the run-in and Wells De Lune rallied gamely for Brian Hughes’s urgings to snatch a half-length verdict.

Longsdon also struck with Midnight Gem, who got off the mark in a handicap hurdle at Huntingdon under Tom Bellamy.