THE Grade 2 Dovecote is perhaps not the strongest pattern class novice run in recent weeks, but the first five home had all won their most recent start, and what it lacked in star appeal, it made up for in competitiveness, at least on paper.

That Chris Gordon’s Highway One O Two, who provided the middle leg of a riding treble for Tom Cannon, should win by a commanding four and three-quarter lengths then is testament to the strides he’s made. He made all the running to slam West Cork (Dan/Harry Skelton) and Kid Commando (Anthony Honeyball/Aidan Coleman), with the rest of the field 10 lengths or more adrift. The winner was not missed in the betting, and returned at 4/1.