Imperial, from The Knight
Wed 29 Sep 2021
WINNER 88 OF 2021: IMPERIAL KNIGHT, trained by Ben Pauling and ridden by Kielan Woods: 'The Cazoo Novices' Hurdle' over 2m 7f at Worcester.
Carrying a penalty, he was chalked up as favourite. The race was really on from the off, as the second favourite sat outside Imperial Knight, ahead of the third horse and kept him company for most of the race. When they reached 3 hurdles from home, his racing companion came off the bridle, whilst Imperial Knight continued to jump well and look comfortable. Pulling clear, Kielan gave the reins a shake approaching the last hurdle and he stayed on strongly, to win by 15 lengths.
Kielan said after the race: "I didn't want to be going that quick, but I knew he had a good jump in him and I wanted to see of the challenger. I'm very happy with him and there's no reason why he can't go and win another handicap - he jumped great."
"Imperial Knight, in the driving rain, has won comfortably enough." Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Worcester/28-September-2021/1453
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.nigelkirbyphotography.com/Horse-Racing/Worcester-Racecourse/Worcester-Racecourse-2021/Worcester-Races-Tuesday-28-Sept-2021/Race-3/
Syndicate manager Tom says: "Well done to his owners on their fantastic win yesterday afternoon. It did present itself like it was a very decent opportunity and that's just how it panned out. There wasn't really any moment that you were overly concerned, maybe just turning for home, did you begin to wonder how long before we shook off the eventual 2nd but no sooner did one think that did he go clear. Timeform rated it as a career best 122, which is good. Ben and I will sit down in a few days and begin to formulate a new plan for him.”
We were very close to having a treble yesterday, after COLD STARE and PRETTY SWEET both finished fast, to just be denied on the line, with Cold Stare being marked at The Racing Post Eyecatcher: "Cold Stare (3.20) looked unlucky not to follow up his Haydock win, having been set a lot to do." Imperial Knight's win leaves us with 12 winners needed to reach the 100 winners mark for the year. With trainer reports coming in now about the rest of our National Hunt strings being readied for the upcoming season, as well as some nice runners on the flat to come, we are hopeful that we can reach the target.