Take The Helm takes Lingfield opener

A round-up of the action from Lingfield on Good Friday as Take The Helm won the opening apprentice riders' handicap.

Adam McNamara steered Take The Helm to a decisive victory in the Sunbets All-Weather Championships Apprentice Handicap at Lingfield.

Brian Meehan's charge was an 8/1 shot for the opening contest on All-Weather Championships Finals Day and a smart start allowed him to take a handy position behind the trailblazing Swift Approval.

McNamara committed for home early, sending Take The Helm about his business rounding the home turn, and he was good value for the official winning margin of three-quarters of a length.

Reckless Endeavour finished strongly against the rail to get up and beat Gallipoli to the runner-up spot.

Meehan said: "I'm really pleased with him. He always loved coming down here and he's been a great horse over the years.

"He would have run a few times through the winter but he just had some issues to deal with.

"The one run the other day (fourth at Chelmsford) probably helped him. We'll go back on the turf with him as there are some nice handicaps over seven furlongs in the spring.

"I think we can make some nice plans with him.

"He ran in this last year and came fourth and it was always the plan to come back. It's a nice way to start the season.

"I thought Adam gave him a cracking ride and rode him with a lot of confidence. He came and rode him work last week and I was very impressed."