took keen hold, chsd ldr fr 3rd, led 9th, rdn and hdd 4 out, wknd appr last
trkd ldrs, rdn appr 2 out, not tbl wnr
hld up, hdw 8th, led 4 out, hit 2 out, drv out
prom, rdn 4 out, wknd fr 2 out
led to 9th, lost pl 11th, rallied appr last, one pace flat
Canadiane and Monsieur Tagel have both won over the track and trip in the past, with the latter slightly preferred as he has limbered up with two fair efforts over hurdles at Cheltenham and Aintree. Zabadi is a shadow of the horse that regularly took on much better company for David Nicholson, but was good enough to pick up a minor race at Towcester last December. Grand Gousier was fairly useful two years ago but seems too high in the weights at present, and along with the rest of them, will do well to stop Cape Stormer from giving Paul Nicholls another winner. Successful at Fontwell in May, a trip to the Doncaster Sales resulted in new connections by the time he lined up for his chase debut at Chepstow in October. A second there was followed by a win at Cheltenham despite Nicholls describing him as just a 'fun horse' and it was patently obvious that he did not stay when tried over a trip in excess of three miles at Wincanton last time. Back over a more suitable trip, and with Christian Williams in the saddle, Cape Stormer is the TEAmtalk selection.
