Longsdon looks to keep run going at the first big fixture

Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon has several entries at Cheltenham this weekend

The first big fixture of the National Hunt season takes place this weekend when Cheltenham hosts the Open meeting.

The three-day meeting features Saturday’s £160,000 BetVictor Gold Cup and Sunday’s £100,000 StanJames.com Greatwood Hurdle.

The meeting kicks-off with Countryside Day on Friday and concludes on Sunday. And in-form Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon has runners on each of the three days.

Long Lunch goes in Friday’s Markel Insurance Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase.

The seven-year-old was third on his seasonal debut at Uttoxeter last month.

Midnight Shot could line up in Saturday’s Martin & Co Jewellers Intermediate Handicap Hurdle.

The six-year-old won at Prestbury Park last month following a front-running display under Aidan Coleman which came on the back of a success at Fontwell on his previous run.

And on Sunday, Longsdon will be hoping Zara Hope gets to line up in the White Christmas Parties At Cheltenham Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle.

The five-year-old won on her previous start at Market Rasen last month after rounding off the previous campaign with a win at Chepstow.

The Hull Farm handler moved on to 33 winners for the campaign following Tuesday’s victory for Midnight Gem.

Loose Chips won Saturday’s Racing UK Veterans Handicap Chase at Sandown Park, the eighth leg of the veterans chase series, under Graham Watters. It was an eighth win from 35 starts under Rules for the ten-year-old.

Midnight Gem followed up to win Tuesday’s Pellys Solicitors Pettifoggers Party Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon for a first win under Rules.

The six-year-old was ridden by Tom Bellamy.