Steward takes Steps to victory Steps bounced back after being well beaten in Wednesday's Scarbrough Stakes to defy top weight in the Ladbrokes Portland Handicap at Doncaster. Ridden by 3lb claiming apprentice Louis Steward, Roger Varian's sprinter has regularly been highly-tried after just being touched off in this race two years ago. However, the seven-year-old, sporting a visor for the first time, burst out of the pack to lead inside the final furlong. Steps (12-1) showed no signs of stopping as he powered to victory by a length and a quarter from Harry Hurricane (25-1). Another Wise Kid (14-1) was a length away third and 8-1 joint-favourite George Dryden was fourth. Steward, who has made a name for himself winning big handicaps, said: "Everyone knows he has his quirks coming out of the stalls, but that was an absolutely brilliant performance today. "He travelled well and the gaps came in time, the minute they came he picked up beautifully and he did it well in the end. "I haven't had the best of years, so to come and do this at the end of the year is pretty special." Varian, who has his string in terrific form, said: "He lost out narrowly in this two years ago, so it's nice to finally win it. "He's a real favourite in the yard and I'm pleased for his owner who has been a big supporter of mine. "We tried different headgear today and I'm sure that has made a difference, as did the fact he broke on terms, something he didn't do on Wednesday." Steward later doubled up on Marcus Tregoning's grand campaigner Bronze Angel (9-1) in the Potter Logistics 50 Glorious Years Handicap. Without a win this season but 1lb below the mark off which he won on Champions Day last year, he burst through to win in style. "He is a fantastic horse and we are so lucky to have him," said Tregoning of the dual Cambridgeshire winner "I knew he was 100 per cent right, we've never dodged a dance, he's come down a bit in the weights but he should be spot on for the Cambridgeshire now. "I know we'll have a penalty, but he's in very good form and we're very happy. "He hasn't lost any appetite for the job."
