led, joined after 4f, ridden and headed approaching straight, no extra under 2f out and soon eased
chased leaders, 6th 4f out, pushed along and no impression entering straight, no extra under 2f out and eased inside final furlong
held up towards rear, pushed along and detached entering straight, no threat from 2f out, never a factor
tracked leader, headway to dispute lead after 4f and led approaching straight, ridden under 2f out and headed 1f out, kept on one pace under pressure, 3rd and no impression closing stages
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway in 2nd early straight and pushed along to lead 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, headed close home
tracked leaders, pulled up quickly after 2f
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out and 4th 1f out, no impression and kept on one pace
towards rear, headway early straight and 5th 2f out, switched left and ridden in 3rd 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to lead final strides
chased leaders, 5th and pushed along 4f out, soon ridden and no impression approaching straight, no extra, weakened
Storm Steps has won three times around here but has a lot to do on official ratings which are headed by Gaius based on his form in France in 2019. The three-year-old Zoom Tiger won a novices' race for Andrew Balding at Wolverhampton in October and his new yard know how to win these races while Kendancer has had just one all-weather start, scoring in the French Provinces back in 2019. The latter has also scored over hurdles recently so has to be respected though the vote goes to NIBIRU, who was only beaten a neck over the track and trip in October when attempting to concede the winner 9lb.
Estepona Sun 25-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, pushed along entering straight, soon ridden and lost place under 2f out, no extra, 16th of 20, 10 1/2l behind Tudor City (9-8) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp gd in Oct.
Gaius (FR) (11-0) last of 7, 14l behind Paradise Island (11-0) at Compiegne 2m 2f hvy in Sep.
Kendancer (FR) 6-4fav (10-12) Prominent, joined leader 3 out, pushed to lead entering home straight, ridden when headed before last, kept on well, 3rd of 12, 3 1/4l behind Findthetime (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) gd in Nov.
Storm Steps (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Soon tracked leaders, effort straight, on terms from 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra and one pace after, 6th of 12, 6 1/4l behind Guild (8-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
Zoom Tiger (IRE) 13-8fav (9-5) Led 1f, tracked leader, led again over 1f out, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (5) pol in Oct beating Ciotog (9-5) by 1l, 6 ran.
Nibiru (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Soon chased leaders, raced towards outer straight and effort, stayed on well inside final furlong, not quite reach winner, 2nd of 12, nk behind Guild (8-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
Djasek (FR) 22-1 (11-3) Rear of mid-division, progress to 9th after 4 out, 5th 3 out, kept on one pace in moderate 4th after 2 out, 4th of 17, 21 1/2l behind Perry Owens (11-13) at Cork 2m hcp hvy in Oct.
House Of Kings (IRE) 17-2 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden on outer 2f out, no impression in 7th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Ajax Tavern (9-7) at Dundalk 7f pol in Dec.
It's Possible (IRE) 150-1 (9-7) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 3f out, never a factor, 12th of 14, 35 1/4l behind Impulsar (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn pol in Oct.
