RACING: Frisco ruled out of National (From Oxford Mail)

RACING: Frisco ruled out of National

10:00am Tuesday 19th March 2013 in Sport

Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon has ruled Frisco Depot out of the John Smith’s Grand National on Saturday, April 6.

The nine-year-old was bought by a syndicate headed by Robert Waley-Cohen, who lives at Edgehill, near Banbury, with the aim of running in the Aintree marathon with his son, Sam, aboard.

However, the combination have twice parted company this term, with Frisco Depot’s latest fall coming in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival last week.

Longsdon said: “He’s fine, there’s nothing wrong with him, but he’s not running in the National this year.

“He’s not had a good preparation for a race like that, but I hope he’ll go there next year.

“I can’t understand how he’s fallen twice this year because he’s a brilliant jumper at home. For some reason in a race he just has a habit of making a mistake.”

Meanwhile, Longsdon says Pendra will embark upon a novice chase career next season after failing to trouble the judge when sent off favourite for the Coral Cup at the Festival.

The five-year-old, winner of his first two starts over hurdles and second to Melodic Rendezvous in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at San-down, was strongly fancied in the colours of JP McManus.

But he faded out of contention after threatening only briefly under Tony McCoy.

Longsdon said: “He’s been fine after the race.

“I’m sure the trip is fine for him, in time he’ll want three miles.

“He’ll be going over fences next year, which is exciting.

“I don’t know if he’ll be going to Aintree or anywhere else this season.”

Longsdon enjoyed success at Southwell yesterday when Ready Token (3-1) made a winning debut.

Kielan Woods was aboard as the five-year-old beat Rolling Maul by a neck in a two-mile bumper.

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