led, mistake 9th, went clear approaching 2 out, easily
chased leaders, not fluent 5th, dropped to rear 11th, soon beaten, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, hit 11th, pressed leader 4 out, every chance when hit 3 out, held when not fluent 2 out, mistake last, no match for winner
in touch, pushed along after 9th, struggling when hit 4 out, mistake and jumped left 3 out, made no impression, went third last
held up in touch, third when not fluent 4 out, well held when lost third last
Pistol Whipped is no stable star but he'll win his share at this sort of level as he did when making all at Plumpton for which he's been raised 7lb. Delire D'Estruval ended the last campaign with a surprise victory in a lucrative Kempton handicap but has been unable to handle Grade 3 company over longer trips this season. DEFI SACRE won at Ascot last month and though unable to concede Cracking Find 11lb at Newcastle his rider lost his irons two out which could have made a difference. Niven hasn't won for over a year but ran his best race for some time at Haydock earlier this month while Boy's On Tour is very much a course specialist and it would be no surprise to see him bounce back from a couple of moderate runs.
Pistol Whipped (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, led 2nd, made rest, driven bypassing omitted 2 out, 1 length ahead last, kept on well run-in, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr beating The Flying Sofa (10-8) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Delire D'Estruval (FR) 80-1 (10-11) Mid-division on outside, losing place from 10th, tailed off 16th, pulled up before 4 out, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Defi Sacre (FR) 6-4fav (11-12) Held up in midfield, chased leader 6th, ridden to press leader 4 out, upsides 3 out, led 2 out where rider lost irons, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Cracking Find (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Niven (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Off the pace in 3rd, closer at 6th, pushed along in 4th and outpaced before 4 out, rallied into 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Five Star Getaway (10-11) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Boy's On Tour (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Not fluent on occasions, midfield, in touch 4 out where not fluent, soon outpaced and struggling, went fourth last, 4th of 7, 15 3/4l behind Court Master (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
