Arise, Sir Imperial Knight
Mon 12 Apr 2021
OUR 15th WINNER OF 2021: IMPERIAL KNIGHT, trained by Ben Pauling and ridden by Luca Morgan: 'The Racing TV Profits Returned to Racing Handicap Hurdle,' over 3m 2f at Warwick.
Of his nine starts prior to yesterday's run, Imperial Knight has finished 2nd three times and 3rd three times, so the often used term "knocking on the door" really has been apt for him and his owners. Under a well judged ride by Luca Morgan yesterday, he thrilled them by winning at Warwick.
Luca had him in third tracking the leaders for much of the race, moving into second four hurdles from home. From 3 out he moved into the lead, pricking his ears at the second last, he put in a good jump over the final hurdle and saw off the challengers and kept on in the well run-in, with the commentator remarking: "He has got a bit up his sleeve here!"
Watch the full replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/videos/watch/horse_racing_replays/324116-racing-tv-profits-returned-to-racing-handicap-hurdle-4
See the official photos here: https://www.dwprattracingphotography.co.uk/gallery_770442.html
Luca said in the owners feedback: "I am delighted that he has won. He deserved that and felt great all the way round. He loved the ground and trip and hopefully he can continue to improve."
Timeform rewarded him with a career best 120 saying: "Has taken time but is getting his act together now (cheekpieces seemingly key), paying a compliment to Soyouthinksoagain as he went one better than at Southwell under the same good-value conditional; tracked pace, went with zest, jumped on 3 out, joined end of back straight, went on again 2 out, driven soon after, idled, asserted late on; he can't go up much and ought to remain of interest."
Syndicate manager Tom says: "Well done to his owners! He jumped and travelled and showed great heart to get his head in front for the first time. I thought it was a very mature ride from an apprentice jockey and there was nothing about that performance that you would want to change. As he crossed the line I said GOOD LAD!"
We have now passed £150,000 of prize money won for the year so far and with 'HQ' across both codes taking place this week, we have some exciting entries and declarations at both Cheltenham and Newmarket. See these here: https://www.middlehamparkracing.net/entries.htm. The team are at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up sale also this week, so don't forget to add your email to our 'early notification' group, to get the first opportunity to take a share in a new breezer before being advertised publicly! You can register your interest here: https://mailchi.mp/middlehamparkracing/breeze_up_2020-7784205