Game Pablo strikes gold
David Pipe’s chestnut was not even going to line up until Voy Por Ustedes and Twist Magic were not declared because of the fast ground.
But a rapid change of plan paid dividends.
With only five runners, Fair Along was left the 11-8 favourite but when he failed to muster his customary dominating role, Pablo Du Charmil instead picked up the gauntlet. The 9-2 shot’s task was made easier when Fair Along made mistakes and Saintsaire appeared lacklustre, so Tom Scudamore harvested a sizeable advantage down the back straight.
While Pablo Du Charmil started to look leg-weary approaching the last, he got himself out of trouble and was pushed out to win by three lengths from Royal Shakespeare. Fair Along plugged on for third.
“Everything changed because of the declarations,” said Pipe.
“He was not going to run as he was not going to be in the weights, but when the top two came out, we kept him in.
“I could not get the owner, Joe Moran, but he later left a message saying I had done the right thing.
“The plan had been to go a good gallop unless Fair Along wanted to go on and I am surprised how well he has travelled. He’ll come on for it too.
“He’s in the Paddy Power (cut to 12s by the sponsors) but I don’t know what we will do. We’ll just enjoy today.”
