RACING: Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon is hoping for a big run from Hammersly Lake in the American Grand National at Far Hills, New Jersey, on Saturday.

Longsdon saddled the ill-fated Sharp Rise to third in the two-mile-and-five-furlong contest last year, and Hammersly Lake was bought in May with a return trip in mind.

The nine-year-old gelding, who won his last start at Perth under his big-race jockey Brian Hughes, is one of nine entries for the $400,000 showpiece.

Longsdon said: “Hammersly will hopefully run well with most of the best American competition ruled out.

“We are all excited to be going back as the atmosphere was unlike anywhere else.

“It is similar to a combination of an English point-to-point and Royal Ascot with massive picnics and crowds.”

Meanwhile, Longsdon notched his 499th career winner when Definitly Grey put up a splendid round of jumping in the hands of Paul O’Brien to romp home at Chepstow.

The six-year-old drew right away from his rivals to record an 18-lengths triumph in a conditional jockeys’ handicap chase over an extended two miles and seven furlongs.

ATHLETICS: Eynsham’s Hannah Hale finished 26th in the women’s race during the first round of the Chiltern League at Oxford.

RESULTS

(senior men unless stated)

AMSTERDAM MARATHON

Witney RR: 3113 B Rendell 3.40.02pb.

SIMPLYHEALTH GREAT BIRMINGHAM

HALF MARATHON

Witney RR: 560 O Powell (SL) 1.39.23pb.

l VISIT witneygazette.co.uk/sport for more results.

OCEANMAN BENIDORM SWIM – 9.3KM

Witney RR: S Covell (V40) 3.29.47.

OXFORD PARKRUN

Witney RR: 33 W Downey (V35) 20.22, 43 G Le Good (1st V65) 21.16, 55 D Brackston (V55) 21.53, 84 A Adams (1st SL30) 23.15pb, 118 H Howard (2nd JL11) 24.33, 147 L Rhodes (2nd LV45) 25.26, 148 S Rhodes (V45) 25.26, 179 J Le Good (1st LV60) 26.25, 261 E Howard (JL15) 30.09, 262 I Fowler (V50) 30.11.

FULHAM PALACE PARKRUN

Witney RR: 303 S Green (SL30) 27.38.

KILLERTON PARKRUN

Witney RR: 65 N Morley (V40) 25.10.

ABINGDON PARKRUN 5KM

Witney RR: 58 V Munday (2nd SL25) 22.33.

BANBURY PARKRUN

Witney RR: 77 T Jennings (2nd V65) 25.50.

WORTHING PARKRUN

Witney RR: 24 S Upton (S25) 21.06.

HARCOURT HILL JUNIOR PARKRUN

Witney RR: 8 R Jones (3rd J10) 8.54, 25 B Jones (2nd JL10, 3rd JL) 10.14.