'We had a shocker last season' - things on the up for Charlie Longsdon after double and trainer notes two horses to watch

Charlie Longsdon maintained his good form with a double, but it could have all been so different with the pair both surviving a blunder over the final obstacle.

The 5-4 shot Alien Storm had jumped impressively on his chasing debut before giving backers a scare when his nose hit the turf at the last, but Paul O'Brien was able to keep his chance alive as he kept on to win the 2m1f handicap chase by three and a half lengths.

Half an hour later, The Dark Edge's hind legs clipped the final obstacle when clear in the 2m4½f handicap hurdle, allowing Greatness Awaits back in, before Lilly Pinchin was able to finish best and win convincingly.

"They almost jumped too well, but it is what it is," Longsdon said. "I was delighted though. Alien Storm had schooled well and it was good to see him do that.

"Our horses were wrong last season. There's no doubt they've strengthened, grown and improved over the summer and came out today on the right side of the handicapper. It's great to see them running well."

Those victories raised Longsdon's tally to seven for the campaign ahead of the winter, and the trainer named novice chase-bound pair Rare Edition and Bugise Seagull as two of his most exciting prospects for the season.

He added: "They're the obvious two. We'd like to think this season they could be taking higher rank in the spring, hopefully. We had a shocker last season, so I'd like to think there's others who are on the right side of the handicapper too."

Double double

James Owen also enjoyed two winners on the card. Odds-on shot Rogue King landed the 2m1½f juvenile hurdle before Enthused struck in the 2m handicap hurdle.

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