Steel Native has won twice at Ffos Las this season, once over fences and once over hurdles. James Bowen’s claim is a plus but he was beaten off a 4lb lower mark on his last run over the larger obstacles. IT’S A STEAL was only beaten a neck by Hedgeinator at Ludlow last week and could go one better here with a similar effort ahead of Clondaw Rigger, a staying-on second at Uttoxeter eight days ago. Handsome Sam might be running into form but The Last Bridge has been absent for a while and is a hard ride.
Steel Native (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 6 out, led run-in, kept on, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Dec beating Asking Questions (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Boyfromnowhere (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders to before 4 out, soon lost touch, plugged on to take remote 4th before last, tailed off, 4th of 7, 29 3/4l behind Tb Broke Her (10-7) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Handsome Sam 15-2 (11-0) Held up behind, chased leaders 4 out, outpaced in 3rd before 2 out, no chance with front pair after, flattered by proximity to eased down runner-up, 3rd of 7, 9 3/4l behind Tb Broke Her (10-7) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Alberto's Dream 14-1 (10-12) Held up, outpaced 4 out, never a threat, 5th of 7, 16 3/4l behind Native Robin (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Shanann Star (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, jumped slowly 4th, headway in modest 4th 4 out, driven and one pace before 3 out, lost 4th post, 5th of 7, 26 3/4l behind Goring One (11-2) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
The Last Bridge 4-1fav (10-11) Prominent on outside, jumped left 7th, pushed along before 10th, lost 2nd next, struggling 14th, tailed off, 7th of 10, dist behind King's Song (11-9) at Southwell 3m hcp (5) gd in Jun.
It's A Steal (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Chased leaders on outside, soon niggled along, lost place before 3rd, headway 8th, went 2nd 11th, led 15th, headed before 4 out, led 2 out, headed flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Hedgeinator (12-0) at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Clondaw Rigger (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, 3rd 2 out, stayed on, went 2nd last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Cailleach Annie (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Badilou (FR) 5-1 (10-7) Towards rear, some headway after 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 8th of 17, dist behind Market Road (12-1) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Residence And Spa (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Led into start, always towards rear, well behind 4 out, soon pulled up, at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Carqalin (FR) 6-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, dropped to mid-division 10th, closed 14th, chased winner 4 out until 3 out, weakened before 2 out, lost 3rd approaching last, 4th of 12, 31 1/2l behind Goring One (11-6) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Sounds Of Italy (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Always behind, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 12th of 15, dist behind Western Ryder (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Try It Sometime (IRE) 4-1 (10-1) Led, headed 5th, led again briefly before 10th, blundered on landing 12th, soon in rear, pulled up 4 out, at Ffos Las 3m hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Mazurati (IRE) 9-1 (10-4) With leader, led 4th, headed 5th, pushed along 12th, pulled up before 4 out, at Southwell 3m 2f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
