Longsdon: Pendra can shine
Cheltenham is not a lucky place for Charlie Longsdon but the trainer has high hopes for Pendra at the Festival.
Last Updated: 26/02/14 9:23pm
Despite being one of the most promising new names on the scene, Longsdon is only one from 67 runners at the track over the last five seasons and Pendra was very disappointing when favourite for last season's Coral Cup.
Now going over fences, JP McManus' gelding won his first two starts before a moderate effort in a better event at Ascot in December.
"Hopefully he's my best chance," said Longsdon.
"Going up to two and a half miles will be the best for him, he has an entry over three miles but the Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase is the obvious chance for him."
Longsdon is quite keen on Harristown and Cadoudoff, his two contenders for the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, and said: "Harristown is in good form and might go for the Imperial Cup first, I don't know."
Another to get a decent mention was Our Kaempfer, and Longsdon said: "He was third to Red Sherlock in November and has been laid out for the bumper."