'He has come into his own now over fences' - Leighton Aspell's big-race verdict

A good pace was guaranteed in the bet365 Gold Cup thanks to the first-time blinkered Step Back, one of two winners of the race in the field, and his young rider Lily Bradstock.

Jordan Gainford on Hewick touched down just in front over the first fence but by the time they got to the second Bradstock had Step Back rolling and taking them along at a good clip.

The field were already beginning to stretch out by the time they passed the post for the first time, with a gap to Hewick and Via Dolorosa, another to Potterman and Enrilo and a further distance back to the main bunch.