led, joined 4 out but led again before next, headed after 2 out, kept on same pace
prominent early, dropped towards rear halfway, last 6 out and became detached, passed beaten horses in straight
mid-division, travelled well in 3rd 4 out, asked for effort approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out
in rear early before improving into mid-division 4th, close up in 5th when mistake 5 out, soon ridden and weakened before 4 out
mid-division before dropping towards rear 4th, niggled along after 7th, struggling in last 10th, pulled up 3 out
settled towards rear, headway into mid-division before 10th, ridden 4 out, improved to press leader 2 out, quickened to lead before last, ran on well
raced in 2nd, driven along after 6 out, pressed leader 4 out, weakened 2 out, lost 3rd after last
held up in touch, mistake 9th and lost ground soon after, ridden 5 out but no extra, pulled up 2 out
mid-division, went 3rd before 10th, pushed along after 5 out, weakened before 4 out
settled towards rear, ridden briefly after 9th and again after next, lost ground 5 out, stayed on after 2 out, went 3rd after last
PISTOL WHIPPED, withdrawn from his intended engagement at Cheltenham, re-routes here in search of good ground and has a definite claim despite conceding weight to a field of very useful handicappers. In contrast Espoir De Guye has yet to encounter good ground since joining the in-form Venetia Williams in 2018. He does have a strong claim though purely from a form perspective. Diego Du Charmil has a shout too on his best efforts and it will be fascinating to see how the recent winning machine that is the veteran Native Robin copes with his first venture into Class 2 grade at the age of 12. Debece and Manofthemountain are also noted in a good contest.
Pistol Whipped (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Mid-division, detached at halfway and pulled up, at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gd in Nov.
Espoir De Guye (FR) 5-6fav (11-12) Jinked right start and nearly unseated rider, tracked leader, blundered badly 4th and rider did well to stay on, tracked leaders, chased leader 2 out, every chance next, led run in, ridden and ran on, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Feb beating Alnadam (11-6) by 7l, 3 ran.
Diego Du Charmil (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, went into 3rd 10th, tracked leader 5 out, pressed leader going well before 2 out, led 2 out, soon pressed and ridden before last, headed final fence, no extra run-in, 2nd of 9, 9 1/2l behind Palmers Hill (10-11) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Manofthemountain (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders on inside, ridden after 3 out, outpaced before next, stayed on again run-in, never going pace to reach leaders, 8th of 19, 5 1/2l behind Midnight Shadow (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Kalooki (GER) 14-1 (11-7) Led until after 7th, losing place when mistake 5 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 27 1/2l behind Paint The Dream (11-11) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Killer Clown (IRE) 17-2 (10-9) Raced wide tracking leaders, lost 3rd at 10th, rallied 10th, weakened 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Native Robin (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Prominent, disputed lead 8th, pushed along before 4 out, led narrowly 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on gamely, always doing enough, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb beating Flagrant Delitiep (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Debece 7-2 (11-4) Led 2nd, went clear 9th, reduced advantage and ridden approaching 2 out, headed before last, kept on flat, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Do Your Job (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Paddy's Poem 10-1 (12-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out until 2 out, ridden and one pace between last two, 3rd of 6, 19 1/4l behind Monsieur Lecoq (11-12) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Up The Straight (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders out wide until lost place before 4th, reminders in 5th place before 6th (water), struggling when hit 4 out, ridden in remote 4th when pulled up and dismounted run-in, at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
