3 minute read
Sgt Reckless got back on track with a facile success in the ApolloBet Free Download App Novices' Chase at Carlisle.
The Mick Channon-trained eight-year-old took advantage of a big drop in class after finishing sixth in the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham to collect without being asked a serious question.
Jockey Brian Hughes asked the 1-8 shot to go and win his race from three out after having shared pacemaking duties with Neville Woods.
Sgt Reckless, having just his third run over fences after winning at Uttoxeter in October, responded by quickening away from his rivals and won effortlessly by 12 lengths from Ivans Back.
"We just wanted to get him jumping again," said Channon.
"We had thrown him in the deep end (at Cheltenham) so we'll see what happens now.
"Brian (Hughes) and Hen (Henrietta Knight, former trainer) found a nice race for him. He went and did it nicely.
"We'll keep all options open. When he gets decent ground, he's a decent horse. It's been a dreadful year for good-ground horses.
"This will have done his confidence a world of good.
"He had run a blinder at Cheltenham and the winner of the Grade One novice at Liverpool (Clarcam) was behind him that day.
"It was a lose-lose situation (at Carlisle) as he had been expected to win.
"We'll look at Sandown and Punchestown and just keep the options open and go from there.
"He doesn't mind a bit of cut in the ground. He just doesn't want it soft or heavy, and that's all we've had all winter."
Irish raider Bearly Legal (11-4 joint-favourite) struck for a fourth time in his last five starts when galloping home by three lengths from Solway Dornal in the ApolloBet £50 Sign-Up Bonus Handicap Chase.
"The horse is flying and I'm very happy with him," said Dublin trainer Karl Thornton.
"He was sick all last summer so we've just had to be patient."
Noel Fehily made the most of his only ride at the track when scoring on the Donald McCain-trained Gingili (6-4), who made a successful debut over smaller obstacles in the Pauline Phizacklea Memorial 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.
McCain later doubled up when the Henry Brooke-ridden Abricot De L'Oasis (7-2 joint-favourite) won division two of the ApolloBet Worldwide Lotteries Novices´ Handicap Chase by four and a half lengths.
