mid division, headway on outside chasing leaders 3f out, chasing leaders when hung left over 2f out, went 2nd towards finish
chased leaders on inside, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway 3f out, 2nd 2f out, ridden over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace into 3rd again close home
raced keenly, tracked leader until inside final 3f, chased leaders, weakened inside final 2f
took keen hold in last pair, never a factor
chased leaders on outside, weakened 3f out
took keen hold, held up towards rear, steady headway on inside 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, led final 150 yards, ran on well
held up in mid-division, headway 6f out, pushed along over 4f out, outpaced over 2f out, no threat after, plugged on final furlong
led until over 2f out, soon lost 2nd, chased leaders, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leading pair, led going well over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed final 150 yards, weakened and lost 2 places towards finish
held up towards rear, plugged on final 2f, no threat
Jockey bookings would suggest Morning Vicar is preferred to the Flat-bred Knighthood of the two Henderson runners but Richard Johnson rides UP TO NO GOOD instead of Warren Greatrex’ points winner Hunt Politics and the hint should be taken. This looks an above-average bumper but the Oscar gelding is a half-brother to the yard’s smart hurdler/chaser Keeper Hill and could be a nice prospect. Baddesley Knight and Black Lightning both ran well on debut and Coole Well could be a useful recruit from the point-to-point circuit but points winner Drovers Lane may need this and it’s difficult to evaluate the French form of Enrichissant.
Baddesley Knight (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, challenged from 2f out, ran green and every chance from over 1f out, stayed on, just held, 3rd of 13, nk behind Court Liability (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f (6) gd in Oct.
Black Lightning (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Chased leading pair, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, closed towards finish, always held, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Hideaway Vic (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f (6) sft in Dec.
Coole Well (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Ww rr, prog well aftr 3out, went 7th bef 2out, ko aftr 2out & went 1 1/2l 2nd with ev ch bef last, no ex nr fin, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Baron De Midleton (11-11) at Ballindenisk 3m mdn hvy in Dec.
Drovers Lane (IRE) 2-1 (11-10) Rcd 3rd/4th, cl 3rd bef 3out, rdn to ld 2out, sn in command, impsve, won at Necarne 3m mdn gs in May beating Back To The Thatch (11-10) by 8l, 7 ran.
Hunt Politics 3-1 (11-12) Hdwy 14; sust chall 2 out; drvn ahd final 50yds, won at Duncombe Park 3m mdn sft in Feb beating Bentons Lad (12-5) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Jeffrey Apple Tree gelding out of Jambles.
Morning Vicar (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of Mary's Little Vic.
Up To No Good (IRE) Oscar gelding out of You Take Care.
Hally's Kitchen 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, lost place over 4f out, soon behind, 9th of 14, 35 3/4l behind Hook Lane Roobee (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f (6) gs in Dec.
Enrichissant (FR) (10-1) 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Elu Secret (10-1) at Fontainebleau 1m 5f mdn gd in Oct.
Knighthood Delegator gelding out of Love Roi.
