held up in main group, not fluent 3rd, lost place 4 out, ridden to chase leaders before 2 out, stayed on to take modest 3rd flat, no chance with front pair
in touch in main group, close up 4 out, challenged on inside before 2 out, led soon after, ridden readily clear before last, ran on, comfortably
raced keenly, led and clear with one other until 4 out where not fluent, soon headed, lost place after next, behind and weakening when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway and close up 4 out, pressed leader on outside next, outpaced when hit 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to dispute modest 3rd flat, no chance with leaders
in touch in main group, close up when not fluent 4 out, outpaced after next, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
tracked clear pair, close up 4 out, led narrowly before 2 out, headed soon after, ridden and readily outpaced by winner before last, no chance in clear 2nd after
pressed leader and clear of rest to before 4 out, led soon after, headed before 2 out, weakened between last 2, tailed off
This is another race in which the Nicholls stable has an excellent record. The Ditcheat handler saddles two this year with Sam Twiston-Davies partnering the filly Malaya in preference to maiden Grand Sancy. The former won a Listed race at Wetherby in November but stopped quickly when attempting to follow up on heavy going at Aintree. Beau Gosse looked useful when winning at Auteuil last September but has been found wanting in this grade since and is giving 2lb to the unbeaten REDICEAN (NAP). Bidding to give Alan King back-to-back victories in this, the Flat-bred gelding has already won twice over course and distance in effortless fashion and can confirm his place in next month’s Triumph Hurdle by completing the hat-trick. Harmonise had the run of the race at Plumpton but Kasperenko is worth noting for future reference as he was rated 94 on the Flat.
Beau Gosse (FR) (10-7) 8th of 10, 12 1/4l behind Master Dino (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 2f Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Redicean 8-13fav (11-4) Not that fluent, held up in touch in last pair, untidy 3 out and next, smooth headway approaching 2 out, led 2 out, quickened readily clear between last 2, not fluent last, very easily, won at Kempton 2m (4) sft in Jan beating Vaziani (11-4) by 10l, 7 ran.
Bid Adieu (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Raced keenly, led and soon clear, reduced lead 4 out, joined when hit next and headed, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 11, 35 3/4l behind Albert's Back (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Grand Sancy (FR) 11-8 (10-7) Keen in mid-division, chased leaders 4th, led after 2 out, headed before omitted last, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Storm Home (11-3) at Taunton 2m (4) sft in Feb.
Kasperenko 3-1 (9-3) Mid-division, driven 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, not reach front pair, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Master Singer (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Oct.
Malaya (FR) 4-5fav (11-3) Led, not fluent 3rd, mistake 2 out, soon headed, weakened flat, 2nd of 6, 17l behind Famous Milly (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f lst fll (1) hvy in Dec.
Harmonise 5-2 (10-2) Jumped left throughout, raced keenly, made all, soon clear, reduced lead 6th, went clear again after 3 out, pushed along and kept on well run-in, unchallenged, won at Plumpton 2m (4) hvy in Feb beating Kaloci (11-4) by 3 3/4l, 6 ran.
