CHIPPING Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon was thrilled to see Hammersly Lake book a potential return ticket to next month’s American Grand National.

The ten-year-old gelding landed the Sodexo Prestige Venues And Events Killiecrankie Handicap Chase at Perth for the second successive year.

Hammersly Lake took the two-and-a-half-mile prize 12 months ago on the way to finishing fifth in the Grade 1 hurdle at Far Hills, New Jersey.

Running off a 10lb-higher mark than last year, the 5-1 chance came home three and three-quarter lengths clear under Brian Hughes.

Longsdon, who held a successful open afternoon at his Hull Farm Stables on Saturday, said: “I’m over the moon.

“He has been running off all these top-weights and it was another fine effort. It was definitely worth the long journey up here.

“He might now go back to America again for the Grand National Hurdle at Far Hills on October 20, but we’ve got to sit down and have a discussion.

“He thrives off a very quick pace and my only worry going there is that they might not go quick enough.

“If he stays here he could go for something like the Old Roan at Aintree.”

Visitors flocked to Longsdon’s stables at the weekend when they were able to see his 80-strong string in the yard, before being treated to a schooling session and a parade of horses, with the trainer providing the commentary.