CHIPPING Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon’s magical touch with his evergreen stars was underlined again when Loose Chips landed the 188Bet Pete The Feat Veterans’ Handicap Chase at Sandown in a race named in honour of his stablemate.

The 12-year-old claimed a tenth career win on his 50th start by making all the running under Paul O’Brien in the three-mile contest to defeat Rock Gone by 11 lengths.

Longsdon said of the 7-1 winner: “He had the benefit of a run under his belt and that made the difference to be brutally honest.

“When he comes round here he lights up. He doesn’t want to go out on the second circuit, but he goes a searching gallop.

“He didn’t have a great season last year and he has come down in the weights. All roads will lead to the final (back at Sandown).”

Pete The Feat, who won the 2017 series finale, finished well-held back in seventh, and Longsdon praised the 14-year-old’s efforts.

He said: “Pete The Feat was a bit keen early doors and Johnny (Burke) said he just blew up jumping the Pond Fence and that he got a bit tired.

“I know the owners are pleased as punch to have a race named after him and to have the horse running in it.”

Charlbury-based amateur rider David Maxwell showed he can mix it with the best after getting 33-1 shot Ecu De La Noverie home by a short head from the James Bowen-ridden Mister Fisher in a Newbury novices’ hurdle.

The 40-year-old property investor played down his success, saying: “You love it when you see a horse really put his head down and want to get his nose in front and that’s what that horse did. He did it himself.

“I have to say in no way I thought in that field he would be troubling the judge. In fact, nobody in the office had a cent on him.”