RACING: Paintball back for repeat bid (From Oxford Mail)

RACING: Paintball back for repeat bid

10:00am Tuesday 5th March 2013 in Sport

Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon believes Paintball is showing the right signs as he prepares to defend his Paddy Power Imperial Cup crown at Sandown on Saturday.

The six-year-old sprang a 20-1 surprise in the extended two-mile handicap hurdle under Noel Fehily last year, sprinting up the hill to beat Nampour by four-and-a-half lengths.

He then missed out on a crack at a £75,000 bonus for winning at the Cheltenham Festival when he was ruled out of the Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle due to a bruised foot.

Paintball then finished unplaced at Aintree and Haydock, and has finished last on his three outings this term.

However, Longsdon is hoping a further breathing operation will help him get back to his best.

“We’ve given him another wind-op and I hope that will help,” he said.

“He’s only 1lb higher than when he won it last year and he’s beginning to work like a really nice horse again.”

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