in rear, went 2nd approaching 3 out, untidy 2 out when well behind leader, kept on from last without threatening
made all, clear 2 out, jumped left last, ran on well flat, driven out
chased leader, mistake 4th and dropped to rear, pulled up after 3 out
held up, not fluent throughout, pushed along and outpaced from 3 out, tailed off
The Trader won four times on the Flat but has changed yards since last seen in October last year. Kanukankan has also changed stables since last month’s second at Worcester and IMPERIAL STORM hasn’t raced since April last year. But the latter looks the type to make a hurdler and fitness shouldn’t be a problem so he’s preferred to fellow bumper winner Tchoupinminzac.
Imperial Storm (IRE) 8-13fav (11-0) Made all, nudged along 4f out, ridden for effort 3f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, comfortably, won at Perth 2m (4) gd in Apr beating Dom Perry (11-4) by 10l, 5 ran.
Kanukankan (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Raced keenly, led 2nd and soon 20 lengths clear, reduced lead when pushed along and wandered before last, hung left after final flight, ridden and headed 110 yards out on flat, battled on but held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Trolley Boy (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn (4) gd in Jul.
Tchoupinminzac (FR) 66-1 (11-5) Off the pace in last trio, never a factor, 11th of 12, 17l behind Top Dog (11-5) at Newbury 2m lst (1) gs in Feb.
The Trader (IRE) 9-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 12 1/2l behind Hasty Sailor (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Oct.
