GO ON MY 'SAM'

ANNSAM (Nap) has been tack- 9 ling much better company and shaping better than his form figures imply, so looks a fine bet to make a successful transition to veterans chases.

- RORY DELARGY

He caught the eye under tender handling at Ascot on his penultimate starts, finishing with running left when a creditable fourth to In d'Or over an extended 2m5fhere in December.

He failed to build on that in a valuable handicap on Ascot Chase day, but was still in front when making a dreadful error at the sixth fence, and that run can be ignored, especially as he returned with an irregular heartbeat.

‘Annsam is lightly raced in recent years with a couple of poor run coming over hurdles.

He was a winner over fences at Ludlow before an injury-enforced absence and is now 2lb lower, while he's shown this term that he retains most of his old ability.