held up in rear, slow 3rd, went modest 4th after 5 out until 3 out, 4th again from 2 out, no impression
jumped right, led 2nd, headed next, led 6th until 7th, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led before next, clear flat, stayed on well
led until 2nd, led next, headed 6th, led next, headed before 2 out, no impression on winner flat
held up, headway 7th, outpaced before 5 out, went 3rd and kept on from 2 out, no impression
prominent when blundered 1st, chased leaders, losing place from 4th, slow 6th, weakened 5 out, mistake 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
Withdrawn
The Gipper has rather lost his way over hurdles and previous efforts over fences don’t inspire much confidence but he is on a very attractive mark. Duc Kauto makes more appeal having followed up a victory at Wincanton with a second on the same track over an extra half-mile. As a winning pointer, Russian Service should enjoy a switch to fences while Twasn't The Plan didn’t give his true running at Sedgefield last month. DORKING COCK doesn’t look an easy ride but is probably improving and he’ll cope with the ground better than most.
Twasn't The Plan (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders halfway, driven 6 out, weakened 3 out, last of 6, dist behind Calivigny (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Spring Wolf 14-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Dorking Cock (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Always prominent, every chance approaching 5 out, pushed along after 4 out, weakened 3 out, 6 lengths 4th and beaten when blundered last, 4th of 9, 18 1/2l behind Domaine De L'Isle (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
The Gipper (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) In touch on outside, pushed along after 3 out, soon lost ouch, plugged on after last, never a threat, 5th of 7, 23l behind Deja Vue (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Duc Kauto (FR) 7-2cfav (11-1) Held up, headway to chase leaders 9th, every chance 3 out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Kilbrew Boy (12-1) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Russian Service 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, ridden 3 out, weakened next, last of 6, 35 1/4l behind Star of Rory (11-6) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Est Illic (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Bit keen, always last, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, hung left and weakened before next, 4th of 5, 15 1/4l behind Knight In Dubai (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
