chased leaders, not fluent 1st, pushed up to challenge 4 out, led 2 out, headed last, held towards finish
chased winner until before 4 out, soon weakened, mistake 2 out
led, jumped cautiously but safe early, joined 4 out, headed 2 out, led last, ridden out
A disappointing turnout with a tentative vote going to the only one without previous chasing experience. DORKING BOY won a couple of decent handicaps over hurdles last season and is built to jump fences so is just preferred to Warwick runner-up Zoffee, who really needs the ground to be softer. Seven De Baune hasn’t raced in more than 12 months and might struggle to keep tabs on the other two over this shorter trip.
Dorking Boy 8-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 15, 24 1/2l behind Nordano (10-0) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Seven De Baune (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Chased leader, led 6th, headed 3 out, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Mellow Ben (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep.
Zoffee 11-4 (10-8) Led until slow 5th, soon led again, ridden approaching last, headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Getaway Trump (11-4) at Warwick 2m (4) gd in Oct.
