Reckless Lad (nearside) beating Toccata Blue© Photo Healy Racing
Reckless Lad recorded the fifth and by far the most valuable win of his career when finishing strongly to take the featured Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Handicap, and complete a double on the evening at Dundalk for Wayne Lordan.
Four of those five victories have come on the Polytrack, and the five-year-old gelding was produced with a well-timed challenge by Lordan inside the final furlong of this €24,000 event.
The easy-to-back 10/1 chance had a neck to spare over 100/30 favourite Toccata Blue with Hes Our Music another length adrift in third.
Winning trainer Pat Martin said, "He was nearly stopping in front again. He gets the mile well but you just have to give him a chance. When he hits the front I don't know if he idles or gets outstayed.
"We thought the fast pace would suit him and he travelled really well. It was a lovely ride by Wayne and just got there at the right time. Toccata Blue was the one we were most afraid of.
"I didn't plan to come back here with him as I didn't think he'd get away with the surface but it's easier now. If it had been as quick as last year he wouldn't have come.
"It's a nice pot and I'm delighted it has worked out."
(GC & AM)
