made most, headed briefly when slow first, ridden 2 out, ran on
led briefly first, tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, ridden next, not pace to challenge
tracked winner, ridden 3 out, every chance next, kept on one pace
NonRunner
Manofthemountain was entered at Cheltenham yesterday and would likely be an absentee here if taking up that engagement so this could be another for the Nicholls team as WORTHY FARM was twice successful over a fraction shorter here last season before making mistakes when a distant second on his final start at Doncaster. It’s a long time since Step Back has shown any worthwhile form and Beau Du Brizais may be in need of a confidence-booster after a heavy fall at Warwick.
Step Back (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Led, headed 8th, tracked leader, ridden and weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Potterman (11-5) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Worthy Farm (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Mistakes, chased leaders, went 2nd before 9th, weakened 3 out, finished tired, 2nd of 7, dist behind Captain Chaos (10-13) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
Beau Du Brizais (FR) 11-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, fell 5th, at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Manofthemountain (IRE) 9-2fav (11-9) Prominent, not fluent 10th, led 3 out, edged left after 2 out, ridden out, won at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Captain Tommy (11-1) by 1l, 14 ran.