East India Dock
East India Dock was impressive in winning the Chester Cup, and there could be even more to come from him now on the flat. Smartly away and quickly into a nice position, just behind the leaders and one off the rail, he came under a ride from Harry Davies three furlongs out as they started the turn for home but, moved towards the outside by his rider, he picked up well. He did enjoy an unhindered run, but, while it didn't look like he was travelling as well as Caballo Del Mar in front of him as they started to straighten up for home, but he stayed on determinedly for pressure. He hit the front inside the final furlong and went on to win by a length.
It was a really impressive staying performance by James Owen's horse. A winner over two miles on his penultimate run for James Fanshawe last September off a mark of 83, he made giant strides for James Owen as a hurdler since then, winning the Finesse Hurdle at Cheltenham in January and finishing second in the Triumph Hurdle. The handicapper raised him by 7lb for his Chester Cup win, but that still leaves him on a Flat mark of 96, which looks more than reasonable given that he is rated 147 over hurdles. There could be another good staying handicap in him off that mark. He could be a horse for Royal Ascot, in which case the move to a galloping track should be a positive.
Chester, 9th May 2025
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