Smooth Stepper seals fine week for Alex Hales with veteran chase success

Alex Hales capped his fine week in perfect fashion as Smooth Stepper won the feature 3m½f veterans' chase.

Hales saw his up-and-coming stable star For Pleasure finish third in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday, but the Oxfordshire-based trainer's long-term yard favourite stole the show five days later as he held off the challenge of My Old Gold for a four-and-three-quarter-length success.

It was a first victory for the 12-year-old since giving Hales another memorable day in the Grand National Trial at Haydock in February last year.

"He's such a lovely, wonderful old horse and a real favourite for Ben [Brackenbury, owner]," the trainer said. "He was a superstar for us last year, I get massive satisfaction in seeing old boys like him do that.

"He's a gentleman, he's so simple that children could ride him. He's such a lovely character, horses like him make jump racing beautiful.

"To have For Pleasure finish third in a Supreme and him win again is a dream come true."

One more for Rosie

Kim Bailey scooped the 2m novice chase last year with First Flow and there were shades of his Grade 1-winning star in One For Rosie, who put in an exemplary round of jumping to maintain his unbeaten record since moving to the trainer.

The eight-year-old also gave jockey David Bass his 50th winner for Bailey this season.

Results, replays and analysis

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets