led to 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
always prominent, led and mistake 3 out, not fluent last, stayed on well
held up in mid-division, headway 5th, outpaced 3 out, rallied approaching 2 out, one pace when slightly hampered last
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, losing place when not fluent 6th
not fluent, held up, well behind from 5th
chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, hung left from 2 out, not quicken last
mid-division, headway after 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd when fell last
took keen hold early, held up, well behind from 5th, tailed off
pulled hard, with leader until ran out 2nd
held up towards rear, reminder after 5th, weakened after 6th, tailed off
chased leaders, hit 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, mistake 4th, not fluent sixth, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Not a bad novices contest which should revolve around the top three on the racecard and we take The Rocking Dock to complete a hat-trick from Bartercard and Creinch. The selection seems to handle any ground, having won on good to firm at Wetherby and then soft at Bangor last month, and looks a versatile sort. This minimum trip suits him well and if he runs up to that same level of form here he will take some pegging back. Creinch was a 14 length winner of a similar contest at Fakenham two starts ago before unseating here last time early in the piece. He also has conditions to suit but will have to improve to score. Bartercard won a Plumpton bumper last time out on similar going and Charlie Mann pitches him in over timber here. That bumper form would give him a clear chance if he can translate it over the obstacles and market support would probably be significant. Royal Stardust makes most appeal of the others from an in form yard, but we take The Rocking Dock to be good enough.
Creinch 10-1 (10-2) In touch when mistake and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Guru (10-11) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in May, 12 ran.
The Rocking Dock (IRE) 11-8fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, led approaching 6th, drew clear approaching 2 out, eased flat, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in May beating Rothbury (10-7) by 11l, 10 ran.
Bartercard (USA) 7-1 (10-8) Held up well in rear, smooth headway over 2f out, led on bit on inside over 1f out, ran green ridden and drew clear final furlong, won at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) gf in May beating Or Sing About (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Butler Services (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up behind, lost touch 3 out, tailed off next, last of 8, well behind According To Pete (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Royal Stardust 6-1 (11-7) Held up and keen, blundered 4th, effort and jumped right 7th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Predator (11-10) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in May, 8 ran.
Another Burden 28-1 (10-12) Behind, headway 3 out, ridden before next, kept on one pace, 4th of 16, 14l behind Charmatic (10-12) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Witch Power 5-1 (10-7) Led to 4th, chased leaders until weakened 3 out, 9th of 14, well behind Cinema (10-7) at Perth 2m hdl (4) gs in May.
Zhivago's Princess (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Always behind, last of 6, 40l behind Charmatic (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in May.
