mid-division in touch, lost place 7f out, soon behind
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, challenged and every chance 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner final furlong, always held
mid-division on inside, chased leaders over 7f out, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, never on terms
held up behind, headway 5f out, went 2nd over 3f out, driven to lead inside final 2f, stayed on well final furlong
tracked leaders, led over 7f out, driven and headed inside final 2f, kept on same pace, no impression with leading pair from over 1f out
raced keenly, tracked leader, ridden and lost place over 3f out, weakened 2f out
led to over 7f out, ridden and lost place over 4f out, soon weakened
mid-division on outside, outpaced 5f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, outpaced 5f out, never on terms
ERICHT could round off a successful afternoon for the Nicky Henderson yard as he made his rivals look very one-paced when coasting to victory at Huntingdon last time. Providing he handles this softer surface, he looks the one to beat. Following a promising debut at Ascot, Balding Banker won by 10 lengths over C&D in November and is open to further improvement, but Bygones In Brid and Peckhamecho have more to do than when scoring on debut and Divine Folly's Taunton win hasn't been franked. Four-year-olds Jumps Road and Oscar Flyer were both in the frame on their introduction, however, and could challenge for a place again getting plenty of weight from their elders.
Balding Banker (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd over halfway, led 4f out, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) gs in Nov beating Gospel Preacher (11-0) by 10l, 9 ran.
Bygones In Brid (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Made all, shaken up over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Musselburgh 2m mdn nat hunt flat (5) gd in Nov beating D'Gigi (11-1) by 8l, 12 ran.
Divine Folly (IRE) 2-1 (10-13) Led 3f remained prominent, led again over 7f out, clear well over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Taunton 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gs in Jan beating Bathwick Brave (10-7) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Ericht (IRE) 1-2fav (11-5) Held up in touch, closed 5f out, led over 2f out, clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 1m 6f NH flat (6) gs in Jan beating Majorica King (11-5) by 7l, 15 ran.
Peckhamecho (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Made all, set steady pace until 6f out, driven along over 2f out, hung left under pressere well inside final furlong, always holding on, won at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) gd in Nov beating Harry Le Fise Lake (11-4) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Street Dance (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) In rear, headway before 4f out, chased winner from over 2f out, kept on and no impression, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Matthew Riley (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Jan.
Sunny Ledgend 4-1 (10-11) Chased leader, narrow lead halfway, headed 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, soon one pace and no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 7, 12l behind All That Remains (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd.
Jumps Road 9-1 (10-7) Chased leader, chased winner from 4f out, no impression over 1f out, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Beattie Green (10-0) at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) gs in Jan.
Oscar Flyer (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) In touch, stayed on from 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, closed towards finish to almost snatch 2nd, no chance with winner, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Tour D'argent (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (6) sft in Jan.
