made most until not fluent and headed 13th, pressed winner, reminders after 15th, struggling and lost touch after 3 out, no chance with easy winner after, tailed off
tracked rival pair, headway to join leader on inside 8th, led 13th, drew clear on bit after 3 out, unchallenged after, very easily
pressed leader, not fluent and reminder 2nd, lost place 8th, struggling and no chance with clear pair final circuit, soon well tailed off, eventually completed for 3rd place
The Jugopolist is easy to ignore while Mercers Court was soon left behind on his chasing bow at Doncaster in January and was still beaten 18 lengths when second over hurdles at the same track later. TROIKA STEPPES tackles 3m for the first time but won over 2m6f at Leicester in December and turned a handicap into a procession at that track earlier this month – he's difficult to oppose, even though he is giving plenty of weight to his two rivals.
Troika Steppes 13-8fav (11-12) Led, headed narrowly after 5th, regained lead next, made rest, drew clear from 3 out, unchallenged after, very easily, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Mar beating One For The Boss (11-9) by 32l, 5 ran.
Mercers Court (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd and in rear, left 2nd from 4th, challenged 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 3, 18l behind Wintered Well (11-9) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
The Jugopolist (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) In rear, mistake 1st, badly hampered by faller 2nd, pulled up, at Fakenham 3m (3) gd in Mar.
