'They've had to be patient' - long journey made worthwhile for Cheltenham group

Friday: Newcastle

There is no escape from talk of Cheltenham at the moment, even in a Class 5 conditional jockeys' race 260 miles away.

The enthusiastic Free Thinkers ownership group live in the town that is the home of the festival but made the train journey up to the north east to see their improving hurdler score a second course success.

They were joined this time by Chipping Norton-based Charlie Longsdon for Freethinker's all-the-way handicap victory under Lily Pinchin.

"The owners all got the train up from Cheltenham and they've had to be patient with this horse," the trainer said.

"We've had him since he was a three-year-old and we ended up breaking him in every week as he was so wild and so feral. He's the hardest horse we've broken in.

"It finally clicked at Lingfield, the penny dropped then and he came up here and now he's gone and won again. Lily's given him another cracking ride."

The trainer is a fan of Newcastle, where he has had three winners from just six course runners this season, and said: "Just Your Type was disappointing in the Eider here but this is a lovely big, galloping track.

"If it was a few hours closer it would be a lot easier! It's a fantastic course and they have good races."

Grand National hope Snow Leopardess, rather than the festival on his doorstep, is Longsdon's spring priority.

'What a special mare' – Aintree on agenda again for popular grey Snow Leopardess

"I have one runner next week," he said. "Alazhar Garde in the Kim Muir. Our season is geared around the one horse at Aintree. That's our main focus. She's been ultra-special for us and long may it continue."

Slanelough shrugs off sole rival

Only two runners went to post for the feature 2m chase, a Class 3 handicap worth £17,400.

Clerk of the course Eloise Quayle said: "It's very disappointing and I don't know why it's happened.

"Maybe it's because of the good ground but this is a new meeting and perhaps the race will take a little while to bed down and be noticed."

Slanelough took advantage to make all under Craig Nichol and hold off sole rival Ar Mest by three-quarters of a length.

"I was quite pleased there were only two runners," admitted trainer Rose Dobbin's husband Tony. "It's because the ground is drying up.

"Slanelough is a free-running sort and Craig got him into a nice rhythm. Our head lad Neil Leach rides him every day and does a tremendous job on him, he practically trains him."

Slanelough (right) beat Ar Mest in a match for the feature chaseCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Joy for Jackson

Tina Jackson got off the mark for the season when Jamil landed the 2m hurdle under Stephen Mulqueen.

"It's lovely to have a winner," said the trainer's partner Howard Thompson.

"You keep hitting the goalpost or the crossbar and you think you're never going to score then it comes round and it all happens so easily. It's simple when you're winning!"

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