HaydockSat, December 30, 2023

STEP ABOVE (2) finished an excellent runner-up delivering second fences outing at Uttoxeter (3m). Extra stamina test could well be within reach and the addition of first-time blinkers might bring about further improvement. SOUTHERN SAM (1) made the frame on six of his seven fences starts including when third over 3m upon return at Wetherby in latest. Trained by Richard Bandey and could be thereabouts racing off the same mark. GOLD EMERY (5) finished fifth in a handicap chase at Ffos Las on reappearance. Might do better with that run under his belt. It would be foolish to discount ROUGE DE L'QUEST (6).