took keen hold, soon led and gradually settled better, drew clear from over 1f out, easily
led early, 2nd until 11f out, pushed along 8f out, went 2nd again over 3f out, no impression on winner over 1f out
raced keenly, chased leaders, went 2nd 11f out until over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
ran green, soon behind, tailed off final 8f
BALCO COASTAL was bought for £100,000 after finishing second to subsequent hurdles winner Gentlemansgame in a point at Curraghmore in October and is expected to make a winning start under Rules. Midnight Centurion didn’t do a lot wrong when second at Southwell but the selection’s stable will have a good line on him through the winner. Knickerbockerglory was also second, here, on debut and Extraordinary Man placed over 1m6 at the track but will do better when going hurdling.
Knickerbockerglory (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Pulled hard, mid-division, went prominent 12f out, led 8f out, edged left over 1f out, headed and bumped entering final furlong, held final 75 yards, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Doddiethegreat (11-9) at Ludlow 2m (5) gd in Nov.
Midnight Centurion 25-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, ridden end of back straight, kept on under pressure final furlong but no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Firestep (11-0) at Southwell 2m (5) gs in Nov.
Miltiades (IRE) (11-7) Trckd ldrs til fell 4 out, at Maisemore Park 2m 5f mdn gs in Oct.
Blue Davis Blue Bresil filly out of Ocarina Davis.
Balco Coastal (FR) (11-6) Mid-div, sl prog in 4th 6out, cl 3rd aftr 3out, ld bef 2out, hdd bef last where mstk in 2nd, no ch with wnr flat, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Gentlemansgame (11-11) at Curraghmore 3m mdn sft in Oct.
Blueberry Wine (IRE) (11-11) Rr mid-div, b mstk 5th, prog bef 6th, wo aftr 7th, jnd 5out & hdd sn aftr, wknd from 4out, mstk 3out, pu 2out, at Lingstown 3m mdn sft in Nov.
Extraordinary Man (FR) 15-2 (11-0) Midfield, raced keenly, pushed behind leaders entering home straight, ridden in 3rd after 2f out, kept on behind front pair, 3rd of 9, 14 3/4l behind Le Bateau (11-0) at Ludlow 1m 6f (4) sft in Dec.
