CHIPPING Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon may have been out of luck with Pendra in the Randox Health Grand National, but he was still able to celebrate a first Aintree Festival winner courtesy of Bentelimar.

Pendra found it tough going in the testing conditions in Saturday’s stamina-sapping marathon and the 80-1 outsider was eventually pulled up before the last fence as Tiger Roll roared to victory.

But Longsdon had enjoyed better fortune on the opening day of the meeting, when Bentelimar galloped to a memorable win in the Zut Media Red Rum Handicap Chase.

The trainer had long believed the nine-year-old gelding was well-handicapped since joining his Hull Farm Stables from Irish handler Shay Barry in October.

And, after a series of near-misses, his judgement proved spot-on as Jonathan Burke powered the 10-1 shot home by three and a quarter lengths to claim the £50,517 prize in the Grade 3 two-mile contest.

Longsdon said: “It all went right in the end. It’s taken its time.

“We’ve been thinking he’s seriously well-handicapped for a big race for some time.

“He’s been on the go all last summer in Ireland, running in races like the Galway Plate and the Kerry National, and all this winter.

“I thought it might be one race too many for this season and that he would win first time out next season, but he’s done it, thankfully.

“Since he came over from Ireland he’s been placed, placed, placed, and he didn’t run at Kempton.

“It’s great for Johnny, who gave him a great ride.

“It’s been a tough first year in England for him, and this just proves he is a top-class jockey and he can do it.

“It is absolutely massive to get a big winner here, especially for everyone at home. Everyone said it was becoming a bit of a hoodoo and it has been a bit frustrating.”

Burke was quick to point to the addition of cheekpieces as the reason for the improvement in form.

“To be fair to the horse, he was brilliant,” he said. “His experience has helped, along with the strong pace over two miles because he stays well.

“When he came from Ireland, he was a little bit brave to start with, but then he got a bit clumsy. The cheekpieces definitely helped and he didn’t miss a beat. Everytime I asked him, he was there.”

Longsdon and Burke had also struck earlier in the week with Leith Hill Lad, who got off the mark over fences in a three-mile novices’ handicap chase at Kempton.