CHIPPING Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon will be hoping there are no late dramas this year as he prepares to run Pendra in the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

In 2017, the ten-year-old gelding was withdrawn 48 hours before the race after picking up an injury.

Pendra has had just one run since then, finishing well down the field in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

A best-priced 80-1 shot, it will be the chestnut gelding’s second crack at the world’s most famous steeplechase, having finished 13th behind Rule The World two years ago.

Aidan Coleman is in line to take the ride again as he did in 2016.

Meanwhile, Clondaw Westie made it four wins from his last five starts for Aston Rowant trainer Lawney Hill with his easiest success yet at Fontwell to bring up jockey Coleman’s century for the season.

The seven-year-old bounded clear to pass the post 26 lengths clear of Atlantic Roller in a three-runner handicap chase over two miles and two furlongs.

Step Back got off the mark over fences for Mark Bradstock’s Letcombe Bassett yard, near Wantage, with victory at Fakenham.

Sent off the 8-13 favourite for a three-mile novices’ handicap chase, the eight-year-old led his rivals a merry dance under Nico de Boinville, coming home 16 lengths clear.

Jungle Inthebungle gave further credence to West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon’s belief that he has a useful crop of juveniles by making a winning debut at Lingfield.

The two-year-old’s success in a five-furlong novice median auction stakes under Charlie Bishop came hot on the heels of stablemate Izzer winning at Doncaster and Bath.

Bishop completed a double by piloting Key Player to victory in a mile novice stakes for Eve Johnson Houghton’s Blewbury stables, near Didcot.