Psychomodo team consider Cheltenham options
Brendan Powell has Cheltenham in mind for Psychomodo after the improving novice chaser provided the trainer with a first winner at Carlisle.
Although the ground was not ideal for him, Wilson Renwick's mount was sent into the lead at the first in the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide 2009 Novices' Chase.
He then made the rest of the running to score by 11 lengths from Auroras Encore.
Powell, who made the 570-mile round trip from his Upper Lambourn base, said: "Wilson said he was hating that ground and though he is better going left-handed.
"If it is soft ground at Cheltenham he will go for the Grand Annual.
"But if it is decent ground, he will go for either the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase or what was the Mildmay of Fleet (the Festival Plate)."
Of his debut Carlisle success as a trainer, Powell added: "I rode a quite a few winners up here and I have always enjoyed coming up to Carlisle.
"It would be nice to have a few more owners who are based up here."
Psychomodo was completing a double for Renwick, who had earlier partnered Mitchel Henry to a dour staying performance in the News & Star Handicap Chase.
Winning trainer Peter Monteith said: "These races are what they are - he is a pointer really and he will go up (the ratings) now and he might then toil.
"Wilson gave him a great ride. He was very positive and the race (two miles, five furlongs) will have ridden like a three-miler in this heavy ground.
"He is a nice horse, but he won't win a Gold Cup!"
Renwick paid a price for his enterprise, however, and was suspended seven days (February 2-8) for using his whip with excessive frequency.
Graham Lee was seen at his strongest as he got the Ferdy Murphy-trained 2-1 favourite Le Roi Rouge home in front in the Racing UK Handicap Chase.
Top-weight Et Maintenant went into the lead after the third-last, but there were plenty of challengers on the run to the final fence.
The locally-trained Hollows Mill took it up on the run-in but was immediately challenged by Le Roi Rouge, who stayed on gamely to score by half a length.
Murphy said: "I think Le Roi Rouge is better off in this sort of race - 0-115 - carrying a lot of weight and we will wait until next season before coping with another league.
"He is tough, but he is better going left-handed (Carlisle is right handed).
"He is probably better going through the ground when it is sloshy rather than sticky like it is."
Tony McCoy was rewarded for a long journey north when Rate Of Knots (2-5 favourite) made light of her task in the EBF/TBA Mares' Novices' Chase, while Overlady seized the day in the Azure Handicap Chase.
Conditional Gary Rutherford gained a fifth career success - and first over fences - when brining the Sue Smith-trained Teenando home in the Racing Post "Hands And Heels" Jump Series Handicap Chase.
Rutherford, 21, was suspended on seven days to be notified for using his whip in a hands-and-heels race.
