The Gossmoor Yank was a debut scorer for Paul Nicholls but it was not a great Chepstow contest that he won and he might find the concession of 7lbs to PARLESOTHO too tough to handle. The selection has been very consistent for Alan King, having won one and finished second on three occasions since joining the trainer. Trip and ground are ideal for the Lesotho gelding and he was far from disgraced at Newbury last time and should take a deal of beating. Pause And Clause represents a yard going well and he should both like the ground and improve for his hurdling debut behind Duke Of Miskin a month ago, and similar comments apply to Folkestone runner-up The Old Pretender. Marias Rock is another from whom better is anticipated, but for today we prefer the claims of Parlesotho.
The Gossmoor Yank (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Tracked leaders throughout, not fluent 6th, led 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on, won at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov beating Any Currency (11-0) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Bob Run (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased leader next, stayed on well under pressure, not reach winner, 2nd of 11, shd behind Bonikos (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Faneuil Hall (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up behind, good headway after 8th, effort 3 out, soon weakened, mistake last, 5th of 13, 36l behind Giles Cross (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
King Ar Aghaidh (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Towards rear, effort 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 15, 16l behind Finney (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Master Cobbler (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, 7th of 9, 36l behind Duke of Miskin (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f hdl (3) hvy in Dec.
Nosler (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 6th until approaching 2 out, soon hung left and beaten, 6th of 13, 17l behind Wessex King (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Pause And Clause (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, soon outpaced, staying on when pecked 2 out, left 3rd approaching last, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Duke of Miskin (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f hdl (3) hvy in Dec.
The Old Pretender (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Led, hit 2nd, ran wide on paddock bend, ridden and headed well before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Martys Mission (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Vamizi (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Prominent and jumped left 1st, led after 7th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 16, 9l behind Bensalem (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Parlesotho (FR) 11-8fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway from 3 out to chase winner after 2 out, no impression approaching last, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Edgbriar (11-1) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Classical Act 200-1 (10-10) Jumped left and unseated rider in race won by Calusa Crystal (10-10) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 18 ran.
Marias Rock 80-1 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden after 8th, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 16, well behind Pride of Dulcote (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Meet Me At Dawn 200-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 10th of 15, well behind Quazy de Joie (10-7) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
