An athletic type and a nice jumper, the Mark Bradstock-trained chaser has the scope to be well ahead of his rating and has been attracting support
While two big-name trainers have been mopping up the prizes in Ireland, smaller yards still have half a chance in the major handicaps in Britain. Rebecca Curtis caused a shock in last weekend’s Scottish National and Mark Bradstock could get his fifth winner of the season in Sandown’s Bet365 Gold Cup, which brings down the curtain on the season on Saturday.
Step Back (3.35) is the beast in question and, if you’ve never heard of him, this is entirely forgiveable, as he has been sailing some way below most radars. An experienced pointer, he was having just his second run under rules when he went well for a long way in last year’s Albert Bartlett Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival at 100-1.
Related: Katie Walsh retires from the saddle after thrilling Punchestown victory
Related: Faugheen overturns form book to secure trainers’ title for Willie Mullins
Doncaster 5.10 Philba 5.45 Glorious Charmer 6.15 The Establishment 6.45 First Flight 7.15 Island Court 7.45 Angel’s Acclaim 8.15 Billiebrookedit
Haydock 1.30 Proschema 2.05 Burnt Sugar 2.40 New Day Dawn 3.15 Man Of Verve 3.45 Admiral Spice 4.15 High Acclaim 4.50 Punkawallah
Leicester 1.40 Bahamian Dollar 2.15 Finoah 2.45 Jallota 3.20 King’s Proctor 3.55 Emerald Rocket 4.30 Podemos 5.00 Framley Garth
Ripon 1.45 Axel Jacklin 2.20 Seduce Me 2.55 Mobsta 3.30 Moonrise Landing 4.00 Brandon Castle 4.35 Francophilia 5.05 Pilkington
Sandown 1.50 Show On The Road 2.25 Top Notch 3.00 Altior 3.35 Step Back (nb) 4.05 Old Guard 4.40 Geordie Des Champs (nap) 5.15 Wait For Me
Wolverhampton 5.25 Madrinho 6.00 Oyster Card 6.30 My Fantasea 7.00 Glencadam Glory 7.30 Hamada 8.00 West Wing 8.30 Shamlan