led and soon clear, reduced lead 2 out, ridden and headed on long run to last (3f out), soon weakened
towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leading pair approaching last, kept on one pace
close up, ridden 2 out, kept on flat
tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 5th
close up, headway to press winner on long run to last, 4 lengths down and held when not fluent last, kept on
in rear, ridden 3 out, never a factor
tracked clear leader, headway to lead on long run to last (3f out), soon pressed, ridden and ran on
held up, ridden 2 out, never on terms
in touch, pushed along 4th, ridden 2 out, not trouble leaders
Sleepy Haven may have just gone off the boil a little having been in good form around the turn of the year and Brotherly Company may be a warming up for a spring campaign when the ground dries out a little. Similar comments apply to Bleu Et Noir but Late Night Lily was going well prior to finding Grade 2 company much too hot at Doncaster in January. MIDNIGHT MAESTRO (NAP) just failed to give weight to stablemate Sir Antony Browne at Wincanton last month and pair pulled well clear. A mark of 120 on his handicap debut looks more than fair and Alan King’s gelding can pick up the winning thread again. Workbench isn’t badly treated but Barrys Jack may be best watched on his first run for Brian Ellison.
Bleu Et Noir 7-4 (12-5) Led and soon clear, headed before 2 out, weakening in 3rd when fell last, at Warwick 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Late Night Lily 20-1 (11-0) In rear and in touch, ridden before 2 out, never dangerous, last of 5, 30 1/4l behind Vroum Vroum Mag (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 1f (1) gd in Jan.
Sleepy Haven (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, ridden before 2 out, plugged on to take 4th place close home, 4th of 6, 15 1/2l behind Teo Vivo (11-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
El Beau (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 9, 24 3/4l behind Boite (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Brotherly Company (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Took keen hold, tracked leaders on inside, switched right before 2 out, pushed along and weakened before next, 5th of 6, 29 1/4l behind Colla Pier (11-5) at Plumpton 2m hcp (3) gf in Sep.
Workbench (FR) 12-1 (11-1) In rear, niggled along 4th, outpaced 8th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind San Benedeto (11-12) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Midnight Maestro 11-8 (11-8) With leader, led 4th, headed after next, led again before 2 out, soon headed, every chance flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Sir Antony Browne (11-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) hvy in Feb.
Kinnitty Castle (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Mid-division, 8th after 5th, ridden after 4 out, weakened to 13th after 3 out, 14th and pulled up before 2 out, at Naas 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Nov.
Barrys Jack (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Held up, slight mistake 3rd, progress 5th and prominent, 2nd before straight, lost place and no impression from 2 out, soon no extra, 9th of 16, 19 3/4l behind Yaha Fizz (11-0) at Naas 2m hcp sft in Jan.
