Charlie Longsdon keen to keep runners apart at Cheltenham Festival
Charlie Longsdon is eager to avoid a clash between stablemates Vulcanite and Hazy Tom at the Cheltenham Festival.
Last Updated: 27/02/13 9:49am
The JP McManus-owned Vulcanite holds entries in the Pulteney Land Investments Novices' Handicap Chase, the Byrne Group Plate and the Grand Annual.
However, as McManus has so many possibles for those races, Longsdon is unsure which contest Vulcanite will tackle.
"A lot will depend on JP's plans where Vulcanite runs," said Longsdon.
"As they also have Colour Squadron with a similar profile, I'm not sure they'd want to run them in the same race and I'm sure AP (McCoy) will have a big say.
"Vulcanite has been crying out for two and a half miles on better ground but I haven't wanted to run him over it on heavy ground.
"I think he's well handicapped. He's rated 145 over hurdles yet only 137 over fences.
"I'd like to run him in the Pulteney Land Investment race and I'd love AP to ride him but if he doesn't, Noel Fehily will.
"Hazy Tom is in a similar situation in that he has been running over two miles but he wants further.
"I would quite like to split the pair of them up really.
"There will be some shocks this year as a lot of horses have done all their racing on heavy ground."
Longsdon is looking at a team of eight for the Festival with a couple of other each-way chances.
"Superior Quality will run in the Albert Bartlett. He got to the front too soon at Musselburgh otherwise he would have been more impressive and Ely Brown will head for the Pertemps having won two qualifiers," said Longsdon.