Reckless powers to Ascot glory

Reckless Abandon overcame clear signs of inexperience to record his second victory from as many starts in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Clive Cox's Doncaster winner was smartly away in the five-furlong Group Two and quickened up to take the lead heading towards the furlong marker.

It looked as though the 4-1 shot would throw away his chance as he hung violently left in the hands of Adam Kirby, coming right across to the stands side rail.

But it is testament to his ability that he still managed to win, passing the post with three-quarters of a length in hand.

Gale Force Ten filled the runner-up spot, racing on the other side of the course, with Ian's Dream third.

Cox said: "He did it on his first start and in a perfect world, in a normal spring, he would have had a couple of runs (before running here).

"It's a great team effort to have the horse here in this kind of order and I'm delighted for the owners, who have been good supporters.

"He's very talented. Adam has done a grand job on him and I'm very proud.

"It's just greenness (that saw him hang to the rail) and I think most of my horses improve with racing. He knew his job to win first time, but he's just got that tendency."

Cox will now aim the winner at the Molecomb Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, saying: "He's got bags of speed."

Kirby said: "I had my stick in my left because I thought I'd bring him over to the right, away from the crowd on the left because when he won last time he just ran around. he's just a big baby.

"As soon as I went for him, he ran left straight away . He's very special."

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Gale Force Ten, said: "I'm delighted with the run. We've often run a horse back in the Railway Stakes after this, so he would be a possible for that."

Jeremy Noseda said of Ian's Dream: "I think he would prefer faster ground, but considering that was the second start of his life you'd have to be delighted with him.

"I think we will go for a maiden now, and then something like the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood."