led until 9th, soon ridden, led 3 out, headed next, stayed on same pace
held up, headway 7th, ridden to chase leader after 3 out until next, weakened flat
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 8th, pecked 2 out, stayed on from last
always in last trio, reminders 4th, weakened 3 out
always in last trio, weakened after 3 out
in touch, led approaching 2 out, stayed on, ridden out
in touch, headway after 7th, led 9th until next, soon weakened
BENCH WARRENT has to give weight away all round but Charlie Mann's gelding has shown improved form with each start over hurdles and is taken to follow up his recent Market Rasen novice hurdle success and make a winning start in handicap-company getting the verdict ahead of Mickmacmagoole and Long Hop. Alan King's gelding looks to be going the right way judged by his latest effort here and could be of interest off what looks a fair mark. David Pipe's Estate has disappointed in handicaps over the last year and looks best watched at present, while Strong Rebel has given no sign of encouragement of late and is hard to back with any confidence despite being trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies. Mickmacmagoole is not the most straightforward of performers but is more than capable of taking a hand in the finish. However, it is hard to get away from the progressive Bench Warrent who can follow up his recent Market Rasen success.
Bench Warrent (IRE) Evensfav (11-3) Made all, ridden and under pressure from 2 out, hard ridden flat, all out, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Wychwoods Legend (11-3) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Mickmacmagoole (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Held up, reminder 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Final Veto (10-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Estate 20-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, some headway before next, soon no extra, 10th of 19, 22l behind Cathedral Rock (11-10) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Lord Shark (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Soon in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 14, 28l behind Michel Le Bon (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Calusa Charlie (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Always behind, struggling after 3 out, eased when well beaten before next, 16th of 19, well behind Cathedral Rock (11-10) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Strong Rebel (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) In rear, under pressure after 6th, struggling after 9th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by I'm The Decider (11-3) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Long Hop (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, stayed on well from 2 out, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Qozak (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Joli Classical (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Held up, struggling 5th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Master d'Or (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd, 10 ran.
