led until hit 1st and headed, led again after 3rd until 5th, not fluent 7th, challenged 5 out, led narrowly next, going best from 2 out, stayed on and well on top at the elbow
led 1st until after 3rd, led again 5th, joined 5 out, narrowly headed next, held when ridden between last two, no extra from the elbow
off the pace in rear, never on terms
Tap Tap Boom has struggled since completing a double at Ludlow in November but FAST BUCK arrives in peak form, though a further 4lb rise for finishing second at Sandown looks a bit harsh. Mortlach is a little flattered by form figures as he nearly always runs in small fields like this one.
Mortlach 11-2 (11-12) Took keen hold, close up, not fluent 7th, ridden along after 3 out, ran on but no match for winner, last of 2, 11l behind Stage Star (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f (3) sft in Jan.
Fast Buck (FR) 11-2 (10-9) Raced keenly, led, clear 3rd until after 4 out, pressed 3 out, edged left and headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Third Time Lucki (11-11) at Sandown 1m 7f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Tap Tap Boom 12-1 (12-0) Held up in rear, closer at 8th, outpaced and struggling in rear 10th, tailed off, last of 6, 18l behind Lord Baddesley (12-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
