prominent, not fluent 1st, led 2nd, jumped left 5th and 6th, soon headed, hung right after 4 out, every chance after 3 out, led after next, pushed clear, easily
led until 2nd, led again after 6th, joined after 3 out, headed after next, no extra closing stages
tracked leaders, struggling before 4 out, soon tailed off, modest 3rd
Coastal Tiep made a winning debut under Rules in a Chepstow bumper but is likely to start at restrictive odds tackling hurdles for the first time and could find PICKAMIX a tough nut to crack. Charlie Mann's grey won has already won a bumper and a Uttoxeter maiden hurdle this season and travelled strongly for a long way over this trip at Cheltenham. Rapanui was pulled up at Chepstow on his racecourse debut and is best watched again.
Coastal Tiep (FR) 2-1 (11-0) Made all, quickened clear over 2f out, idled inside final furlong, kept on, won at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Waterloo Warrior (11-0) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Pickamix 13-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, pace quickened after 5th, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced, beaten after, stayed on, 3rd of 4, 2 1/2l behind El Bandit (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) gd in Oct.
Rapanui (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Towards rear, mistake 2nd, struggling 6th, tailed off when pulled up before omitted 4 out, at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
