held up, not fluent 2nd, struggling from 4 out, tailed off
tracked leader, ridden to press leader 3 out, every chance 2 out, outpaced approaching last, kept on flat without threatening
always towards rear, never involved
held up, pushed along and outpaced approaching 3 out, plugged on in distant 3rd
made all, hard pressed 3 out, ridden and went few lengths clear last, stayed on well flat, always in control
Fast Buck has placed three times over fences and was clearly out of his depth having a first run over hurdles for new connections. Stepney Causeway has also hinted at ability but is another to have switched stables recently. Cap Du Mathan should be capable of better but Fakir is already starting to look exposed. STORMIN CROSSGALES won over hurdles here on his final start last season and may have been let in lightly on his fencing bow.
Stepney Causeway 14-1 (11-9) Jumped left, waited with in last pair, went left and collided with wing at 4th, steady headway on inside before 5 out, left modest 3rd 4 out, 3rd of 6, dist behind Nothin To Ask (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Cap Du Mathan (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Led until 9th, lost 2nd 11th, chased leaders, weakened 5 out, left modest 4th next, 4th of 6, dist behind Nothin To Ask (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Fast Buck (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Always in rear, never involved, last of 5, 23 1/4l behind Sceau Royal (11-8) at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct.
Fakir (FR) 22-1 (10-11) Held up behind leaders, pushed along and weakened 2 out, last of 5, 16 1/4l behind Solo (11-10) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Stormin Crossgales (IRE) 10-11fav (11-6) Made all, took keen hold, eased clear 2 out, readily, won at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (4) gd in Mar beating Moorland Rambler (10-10) by 12l, 8 ran.
