SAINTS legend Mick Channon is eagerly anticipating “exciting times” ahead for his current batch of horses.

The footballer-turned-trainer has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, with Sgt Reckless the lates to impress.

Ground conditions will dictate where Sgt Reckless makes his next appearance following a pleasing debut over fences at Uttoxeter last week.

Channon's seven-year-old mixed it at the top level in novice hurdle company last season, finishing fourth in the Supreme at Cheltenham, second at Aintree and third at the Punchestown Festival.

His jumping was assured as he ran out a comfortable winner on his first start over larger obstacles in Staffordshire.

Channon is excited to see what the rest of the season has in store.

The West Ilsley handler said: “It's always a worry when you have a good hurdler going novice chasing as you wonder whether you're doing the right thing, but Hen (Henrietta Knight) was very confident and he did it very well.

“That wouldn't be his ground, either, but he has come out of the race good, despite losing a couple of shoes, and we'll see where we go from here.

“I think it will be ground dependent where he goes next, as I wouldn't want to be running him on very soft ground.

“If we can find a bit of good to soft ground somewhere and the race was right he'll be ready to rock.”

Knock House was another promising addition to the chasing ranks when bolting up at Fakenham last month.

Channon said: “He's another exciting horse and hopefully it's exciting times ahead.”