3 minute read

Connections of Sgt Reckless will do plenty of head-scratching before deciding whether to go for the Racing Post Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham after just one run over fences.

Trainer Mick Channon, former trainer Henrietta Knight and owner Tim Radford will discuss the situation after the eight-year-old strutted his stuff in pleasing fashion in a schooling session over two miles after racing at Doncaster on Saturday.

Ridden by Will Kennedy, Sgt Reckless put in a clear round of jumping as he came home ahead of his stable companion Paradise Valley, with R adford and the trainer's son Michael Channon jnr looking on.

"We're in a horrible position in that everyone's telling us how to train him yet we know he's only half the horse if he hasn't got good ground," said Channon jnr.

"The ground was good here at Doncaster and we would have loved to have been in a race.

"He jumped very well and Will Kennedy was more than happy. It's another step towards what we're going to do and we have to do what's right by the horse.

"He's in the Arkle and also in the County over hurdles. The Arkle is our dream. It's whether we're doing the right thing in terms of what we've got under our belt. We'll leave the decision to Mick, Hen and Tim.

"We've done everything right there. We know he's got the ability, but whether he's got the experience to go into the Arkle.

"I wish it wasn't this way. I just wish we could do what everyone is telling us to do, but we know the horse won't go in soft, horrible ground.

"Cheltenham is the holy grail, but we will do what is right for the horse. We all want to go to Cheltenham, but is it right for the Sergeant?"

Since making a successful debut over fences at Uttoxeter in late October, Sgt Reckless has finished fifth behind Faugheen in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and won a mile and a half maiden Flat race on the Polytrack at Lingfield in January.