tracked leader, outpaced after 3 out, headway to lead next, headed approaching last, soon rallied and every chance, no extra closing stages
tracked leaders, joined leader 4th, not fluent next, led after 3 out, headed before next, weakened
led, mistakes 3rd and 4th, headed before 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up in touch, outpaced after 3 out, headway next, led before last, soon pressed, stayed on well towards finish
DORKING COCK has been raised 9lb after landing a double with last month’s course and distance success. But he beat a subsequent winner on that occasion so the form looks solid enough and a hat-trick looks on the cards for Tom Lacey’s charge. Novice winner Informateur has a shout dropping down in class having struggled here on his handicap debut and similar comments apply to Mountain Hawk, who was still well beaten when third at Sedgefield last time. Romeo Brown has failed to figure since landing a maiden hurdle at Kelso and makes his handicap debut.
Dorking Cock (IRE) 4-6fav (11-9) Always prominent, pushed along to challenge 2 out, edged left before not fluent last, stayed on, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Feb beating Broughtons Admiral (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Informateur (FR) 3-1fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, mistake 2 out, soon beaten, no extra last, 4th of 10, 15 1/2l behind Teescomponents Lad (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Mountain Hawk (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Disputed 2nd, outpaced in 3rd 4 out, plugged on, no chance with front pair from next, 3rd of 5, 25l behind I'm To Blame (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Romeo Brown 7-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 32 3/4l behind Doctor Dex (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gd in Feb.
