PISTOL DESBOIS gets the confident vote in a seemingly competitive handicap chase and he can see off main rivals Fourball, Phardessa and Aheadofhistime. The selection had to miss an intended engagement last week because of the weather, but he has a chance to make up for lost time here as he makes his handicap chase bow off a mark of 111. Considering he is rated 120 over hurdles after a cosy win at Wincanton in March, he looks a major player today with the ground no problem. Fourball represents a yard in top form but top-weight in this ground makes life tricky and he looked to have little in hand with the handicapper when third recently at Leicester. Omme Antique is an interesting contender. He makes his chasing debut today and with the stable in top form he rates a big threat, especially as he has the size and scope to jump a fence. Aheadofhistime won nicely last time but at the age of ten it is unlikely that he is improving and stepped back up in trip today it is likely that he will need to. Scaramouche has been given a break since a silver medal finish at Wincanton, whilst Phardessa and Honour's Dream are both very consistent and each should once again run their races. Captain Marlon, a course winner, is another for consideration, but given market support Pistol Desbois could be the bet of the week.
Fourball (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, ridden 3 out, went 3rd last, weakened flat, 3rd of 12, 15l behind Busy Isit (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Phardessa 10-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, steady headway 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 9, 18l behind Jaunty Flight (10-5) at Newbury 2m 4f mrs nov chs (4) sft.
Pistol Desbois (FR) 5-2jt-fav (10-12) Chased leaders, blundered badly 11th, ridden and every chance 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 6, 16l behind Buck The Legend (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Nov.
Master Somerville 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place after 11th, tailed off 13th and pulled up 4 out in race won by The Sawyer (11-6) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft, 15 ran.
Honour's Dream (FR) 9-1 (11-8) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, went 2nd last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Mr Big (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy.
Captain Marlon (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Took keen hold early, held up, headway to chase winner 7th, blundered next, lost 2nd 3 out, weakened soon after, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Rathmulen (10-12) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Safari Adventures (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Prominent, 4th, ridden when fell 3 out in race won by Oscar Jack (11-1) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs, 13 ran.
Scaramouche 12-1 (11-0) Led to 4th, led approaching 7th, ridden, headed approaching 3 out, jumped left, no chance after, 2nd of 4, 15l behind Lightning Strike (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Omme Antique (FR) 9-1 (10-13) In touch, weakened after 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Supreme Keano (10-11) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Aheadofhistime (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (11-7) Held up, steady headway 7th, ridden to lead last, kept on, won at Chepstow 2m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy beating Guns of Love (10-0) by 5l, 11 ran.
Arceye 14-1 (11-2) Prominent, reminder after 3rd, weakened after 5th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Auditor (10-0) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
All Sonsilver (FR) 15-2 (10-0) Tracked leader, ridden approaching 5 out, weakened 2 out, left poor 3rd, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Aheadofhistime (11-7) at Chepstow 2m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy.
