Marleybow on target at Carlisle

Trainer Howard Johnson has a good record at Carlisle and he struck again at the Cumbrian venue when Marleybow won the Join WBX.COM For Free Football Shirts Novices’ Hurdle.

With stable jockey Denis O’Regan on board, the 10-11 favourite was always handy. Taking a slight lead at the final flight, he won by three lengths from Innominate, with long-time leader Harry Wood third.

Marleybow’s owner Graham Wylie said: “Denis said the horse jumped quite big - he is a chaser in the making so winning over hurdles is a bonus.

“He needs a faster pace than he got today and the obstacles were too small for him really. But I was pleased with his battling qualities and he really got stuck into it – he looks a proper three-mile chaser.”