East India Dock looks up for a Flat return success

EAST India Dock can make a triumphant return to the Flat in the Ladbrokes Chester Cup.

- By ASHLEY IVESON

The four-year-old has not yet raced on the level since joining James Owen but enjoyed an excellent first season over obstacles, with a hat-trick of impressive victories followed by a close-up third in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

East India Dock showed decent form for James Fanshawe, with wins at Salisbury and Goodwood supplemented by some good efforts in defeat, but his jumping performances suggest he is an improved horse since his last Flat start, when finishing fourth in the Mallard Handicap at Doncaster in September.