News Smooth Stepper scores for Sue Smith at Newcastle

Smooth Stepper scores for Sue Smith at Newcastle

racing

Smooth Stepper gave Sue Smith a 10th winner of the month when determinedly seeing off his challengers in the Weatherbys Bank Novices' Limited Chase at Newcastle.

Smooth Stepper gave Sue Smith a 10th winner of the month when determinedly seeing off his challengers in the Weatherbys Bank Novices' Limited Chase at Newcastle.

A dual winner over hurdles last term, he looks made for fences and jumped as if on springs.

The six-year-old hit the front half-way up the straight when The Ramblin Kid cried enough and Danny Cook had to keep him up to his work to see off the fast-finishing Wizards Bridge, his fellow 7-2 joint-favourite, by three-quarters of a length.

Smith was winning the race for the second successive year after the success of Straidnahanna 12 months ago.

"He was a bit behind the bridle the whole way but he just keeps responding," said Cook.

"He was idling in front at the finish, but he's a nice horse and hopefully he can build on that."

Assistant trainer Harvey Smith said: "He'll be a lovely staying chaser in the future.

"We haven't rushed him, we've given him plenty of time and hopefully now we've got a horse."