held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on to chase winner last, kept on
held up towards rear, headway halfway, challenged 3 out, led next, ran on strongly
towards rear never dangerous
mid-division, headway 4 out, effort approaching 2 out, 5th and beaten when fell last
with leader, led halfway, headed 3 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up flat
in touch, closed up halfway, led 3 out, headed next, one pace under pressure
towards rear never dangerous
in touch, headway 4 out, effort approaching 2 out, kept on one pace
in touch, headway halfway to track leaders, every chance 3 out, no extra after next
towards rear never dangerous
tracked leaders, weakened quickly halfway
towards rear, headway halfway, effort after 3 out, weakening when mistake last
led, headed halfway, mistake 6th soon weakened
towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Steppes of Gold looked the part at Haydock last month and can remain unbeaten at the expense of Your A Gassman and Patriarch Express. Although the Nicky Richards stable has not been setting the world alight, Steppes of Gold continued where he had left off when hacking up on his debut over hurdles in December. Taking the lead up three out, he won with the minimum of fuss, adding to his earlier success on his racecourse bow at Newcastle. It will take a smart one to lower his colours here and he looks a worthy favourite despite having to shoulder a penalty. Patriarch Express mixed it with the best in bumpers, finishing in mid-division behind Liberman at the Festival, and on the back of two confidence boosting successes over timber at Newcastle and Haydock, was sent back to Cheltenham in December but disappointed over what may have been too long a trip. He too has a penalty to shoulder but will be a danger. Your A Gassman won in a canter at Southwell last May but has a long absence to overcome on his hurdles debut. Of the rest, a close eye should be kept on the market for the chances of Len Lungo's pair Ghost Rider and Mr Auchterlonie, while Flight Command, who beat Your A Gassman last season, is another to consider for a place. However, the one that they all have to beat is Steppes of Gold who can make it three out of three before being aimed higher.
