refused to race
towards rear, mistake 11h, not fluent 13th, niggled 4 out, pushed along 3 out, kept on gamely when held approaching last, weakened run-in
mid-division, niggled along 3 out, ridden 2 out, made challenge when not fluent last, kept on strongly run-in but always held by game winner
made all, led, pressed 3 out, ridden along and led narrowly 2 out, responded gamely when challenged on both sides at the last, kept on run-in, brave
tracked leader, travelling well and every chance 2 out, made strong challenge last, stumbled last and no extra run-in
mid-division and keen early stages, much closer 2nd circuit, mistake 17th, headway approaching 3 out, every chance when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
in rear, struggling 7 out, detached before 5 out, tailed off 3 out and pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, outpaced and detached 2 out, never involved
chased leader, pushed along before 3 out, struggling approaching 2 out, weakened after 2 out
close up, not fluent 3rd, bad mistake 8th and shuffled back to mid-division, not fluent 4 out and soon pushed along, detached 3 out
Crosspark just failed to catch Present Man in one of these at Chepstow last month when Horatio Hornblower finished tailed off. Smooth Stepper was a surprise winner of the Grand National Trial at Haydock in February and loves the mud. He is 8lb higher on his return but not discounted. Step Back won the bet365 Gold Cup here back in 2018 and won for the first time since at Wincanton last month but JEPECK beat Regal Flow in the final of last year’s series here in January and, despite being 5lb worse off, can confirm that form with the runner-up and make a winning reappearance. Sametegal looks the pick of the remainder as Singlefarmpayment often flatters to deceive.
Gold Present (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next, virtually pulled up flat, 9th of 14, dist behind Hogan's Height (10-8) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Smooth Stepper 33-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, lost place before 5th, in rear 8th, closed from 17th, went 3rd 2 out, went 2nd next, stayed on dourly, led flat, edged right close home, won at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (1) hvy in Feb beating Lord Du Mesnil (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Crosspark 14-1 (11-7) Held up off the pace towards rear, steady headway after 13th, chased leaders next, stayed on strongly between horses run-in, just failed, 2nd of 12, shd behind Present Man (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Step Back (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Made most, headed briefly when slow first, ridden 2 out, ran on, won at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Beau Du Brizais (11-0) by 3l, 3 ran.
Sametegal (FR) 7-2fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway 4 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 12, 14 1/4l behind Minellacelebration (11-3) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Singlefarmpayment 7-2fav (11-9) Held up in rear, steady headway from 14th, lots place 18th, headway approaching 3 out, lost place before 2 out, 7th of 10, 28 3/4l behind Doing Fine (10-7) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Jepeck (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Prominent, hung right under pressure after 2 out, soon one pace, weakened flat, 4th of 6, 15 1/4l behind Seeyouatmidnight (11-0) at Carlisle 3m hcp (2) hvy in Mar.
Brother Tedd 6-1 (11-9) In touch in rear, headway to track leaders 4 out, ridden and every chance from 2 out, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Walt (11-12) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Regal Flow 28-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 13th, chased leaders next, weakened 2 out, 6th of 14, 36l behind Christmas In April (11-6) at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Horatio Hornblower (IRE) 22-1 (10-4) Held up off the pace in mid-division, towards rear and struggling 12th, never on terms after, 10th of 12, dist behind Present Man (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
