chased leaders on outside, ridden before 2 out, soon beaten, one pace
chased leader, jumped left 5th and 8th, led 2 out, clear flat, pushed out
led, not fluent 1st, jumped left 7th, ridden after 3 out, headed next, no impression on winner flat
chased leaders, took keen hold, weakened 2 out
Court Royale is taking a drop in class and would have an obvious chance on his close second at Ludlow in October though all of his best form is on qucker ground than he'll face here. DORKING COCK completed a double over hurdles when scoring here last February and gained his first success over fences at the fourth attempt on heavy ground at Chepstow. He's up 7lb but will take some beating though dual hurdles winner Fanzio is interesting on his chasing debut having been sent to France for his last two starts. Relkadam had a couple of runs over fences in France so doesn't lack experience over the bigger obstacles.
Court Royale (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 25l behind Our Merlin (11-4) at Taunton 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Dorking Cock (IRE) 11-8fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led before next, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating The Gipper (11-7) by 5l, 6 ran.
Fanzio (FR) (11-4) at Fontainebleau 2m 2f sft in Dec.
Relkadam (FR) 25-1 (11-9) Close up, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
