Court In Motion

Court In Motion ran a really nice race on his return to action in the Grade 2 Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton on Saturday. Settled behind the two leaders by Dougie Costello, he travelled enthusiastically and he jumped well, except for a bad mistake at the middle fence on the far side. He also seemed to take a false step a couple of strides after landing over the middle fence in the home straight on the first circuit. He continued to travel well right on the heels of the leaders after his mistake down the back straight, from which he had landed awkwardly, and he moved up nicely to track Houblon Des Obeaux exiting the back straight. Houblon Des Obeaux pressed on into the home straight and Court In Motion just couldn’t catch him on his first run for 19 months, and despite jumping the last really well he was caught for second on the line by the rallying Poungach.

The winner had already won his novice chase, and although he had to carry a 4lb penalty for that, the experience counted for a lot here, and the fact that he had had a run was an advantage as he was able to press on from some way out over a distance that he stays really well. The winner may be a little under-rated as well, the time was quicker comparatively than that recorded by The Package in winning the Badger Ales Trophy later on the card.

This was a really likeable performance from Court In Motion though, Emma Lavelle’s horses usually come on for a run, and this year looks no exception with a lot of them improving a good deal from their reappearance, and Court In Motion should certainly come for this first run in such a long time. He was a classy novice hurdler two seasons ago, he won a Grade 2 race at Warwick and he was third to Bobs Worth in the Albert Bartlett, and given how well he jumped in the main here, he could be an even better chaser. He should improve for a step up in trip as well, and he could be well worth following in staying novice chases now this season.

10th November 2012

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