Verdict

Dorking Cock won on this card 12 months ago and the penny has dropped recently over fences. He arrives on a hat-trick but carries a penalty after landing the odds at Carlisle in a lower grade. Billingsley is also chasing a three-timer but only beat Muratello three-quarters-of-a-length at Haydock and the latter is 2lb better off, though was also engaged yesterday at Leicester. Saint De Vassy also has an excellent chance of reversing Hereford running with Alastair Ralph’s charge on 9lb better terms but Little Light couldn’t cope with a 6lb rise at Fakenham after scoring at Leicester. Gary Moore sent out last year’s winner and BALLINSLEA BRIDGE can follow suit as he’s been racing keenly over longer trips and looks ready for a try over 2m.

Formwatch

Billingsley (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Made all, ridden 2 out, stayed on gamely, won at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Muratello (11-8) by 3/4l, 10 ran.

Dorking Cock (IRE) 4-6fav (11-11) Chased leader, jumped left 5th and 8th, led 2 out, clear flat, pushed out, won at Carlisle 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Fanzio (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.

Ballinslea Bridge (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed last, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Zolfo (11-13) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.

Saint De Vassy (FR) 4-1 (11-11) Disputed lead until chased winner 3 out, rallied last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Billingsley (11-8) at Hereford 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.

Little Light (FR) 9-4 (11-12) Chased winner, challenged 8th, led 4 out, headed after 3 out, fading in 3rd before last, 3rd of 4, 9l behind The Flying Sofa (12-1) at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.

Muratello (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Close up, tracked winner 4 out, ridden and every chance from 2 out, switched left run in, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Billingsley (11-5) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.