Racecards
16:50 Fontwell Park
Download The Free At The Races App Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 49y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £5,800 added
- Winner: £3,159
- 2nd: £1,455
- 3rd: £727
- 4th: £364
Dock Of The Bay
1058- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey Fergus Gillard
held up in touch, smooth headway approaching 3 out, ridden to lead after last, hung left but stayed on, headed close home
- Form 21-3
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer J W Mullins
- Jockey Kevin Jones
led after 2nd, joined next and shared lead until led outright again 4 out, nudged along 3 out, pressed 2 out and headed after last, rallied to regain lead close home
- Form 322/369-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer L Morgan
- Jockey Adam Wedge
jumped right at times, disputed lead after 2nd until dropping to 3rd after 3 out, soon ridden and weakened quickly
- Form P-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer Mrs L C Jewell
- Jockey J E Moore
tracked leading pair, dropped to rear when mistake 3 out, weakened quickly
Verdict
Dock Of The Bay never placed in four runs on the Flat and has had almost three years on the sidelines. Placed in four of six bumper starts, STEP TO THE TOP competed at an elevated level in that sphere and should have too much for these if taking to hurdles as Roko George and Belle Jour were beaten a long way at Kempton on Sunday.
Formwatch
Dock Of The Bay 14-1 (9-7) Held up, pushed along halfway, never on terms, 5th of 7, 11 1/4l behind Desert Cross (9-10) at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Roko George (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, chased leaders, jumped big 3 out, left remote third after 3 out, 3rd of 6, dist behind Will Carver (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in May.
Step To The Top (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and outpaced before 1f out, 9th of 15, 19l behind Me Too Please (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Pleasure Garden (USA) 150-1 (10-12) In rear, headway on outside after 3rd, weakened before 5th, pulled up before 2 out, at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Feb.
Belle Jour (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Towards rear, jumped big 1st, mistake 5th, pushed along before 3 out, soon struggling, 4th of 6, dist behind Will Carver (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in May.
Sunday Shoes (IRE) 250-1 (11-0) Traced winner until 7f out, soon lost touch, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Whispering Gypsy (11-0) at Lingfield 2m (5) pol in Feb.