'As good as we've had' - Charlie Longsdon plotting Supreme bid with Rare Edition

Charlie Longsdon has described Rare Edition as the best novice hurdler he has trained and is hoping to test his Cheltenham Festival credentials at Haydock on Saturday.

Rare Edition is as short as 12-1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, the preferred festival target, following his stylish seven-length victory at Kempton on Boxing Day.

The Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, over a longer distance a day later on March 15, could come under consideration depending on his next performance.

Longsdon will enter the six-year-old for the Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle on Saturday, with the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon on February 9 an alternative option if the going is heavy at Haydock.

The Oxfordshire trainer has enjoyed 11 Graded wins during his 17-year career but is hoping Rare Edition can be the best yet and provide a top-level breakthrough.

Charlie Longsdon: started training in 2006Credit: Alex Davidson (Getty Images)

Longsdon said: "It's not my style to talk up a horse but he's certainly at this stage of his career as good a novice as we've had – no doubt.

"That doesn't mean he'll be a superstar because we haven't really had any. It's early days but he's done everything easily so far and ultimately he's a chaser long-term. He's not quick but he's got a relentlessly big stride. He shows it at home every day."

Of a festival target, the trainer added: "My natural thought is the Supreme Novices' Hurdle but we're two months away. My only worry is that he jumps his hurdles well but not as quick as some of them, so everything might happen too quick. We're keeping our options open but the Supreme is very much the plan."

Longsdon is preparing a strong team in search of a first winner at the flagship four-day meeting. He got within three-quarters of a length with Pendra in the 2017 Kim Muir, and Glimpse Of Gala could be another likely candidate to make the breakthrough.

The seven-year-old landed a gamble when winning Warwick's Pertemps qualifier on Saturday and will now be aimed at the Final on March 16.

She is 20-1 for that race, and the trainer has an extra incentive as yard landlord Chris Marriott runs The Tweed Clad Fossils syndicate which owns her.

Glimpse Of Gala: will be aimed at the Pertemps Final at the festivalCredit: Mark Cranham

"It would be a dream for my landlord to have a horse they own and bred in the Pertemps," said Longsdon. "She deserves to be there too, we'll see what the handicapper does but I expect we'll get into it. That's the plan.

"We started the season off with a rating of 122, she went up the handicap for being placed three times and now she's got her head in front a couple of times and looks better than ever. We're on a massive upward curve. It will stop at one stage but we'll enjoy it while it lasts."

Snow Leopardess is being aimed at the cross-country chase at Cheltenham on Trials day, with a view to running in the main event in March, while Tea For Free will bid for a fifth consecutive win on January 28 in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster.

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