in touch, headway 5 out, effort next, weakening when mistake next
in touch until mistake 12th, soon behind, pulled up before 5 out
chased leaders, pushed along and lost place 12th, rallied 3 out , stayed on to lead run-in
close up, led 8th, jumped right and headed 14th, one pace from 3 out
towards rear, pushed along 5 out, no impression
held up in rear, pulled up quickly before 10th
led, headed 8th, led again 14th, hit 2 out, headed run-in, no extra
Sycho Fred finally took advantage of a tumbling handicap mark to score over 2m4f at Sedgefield six days ago. That was his first victory for more than two years, however, and he may struggle to follow up under a penalty. Baltic Pathfinder is another recent winner at Sedgefield but he's very hard to predict, while La Pantera Rosa is difficult to fancy on what he's shown so far this season. Malko De Beaumont was third at Carlisle in October after a long break but can hardly be improving now in the veteran stage and Allanard has been well beaten in his last couple of starts. BARDOLET was a little disappointing when fancied at Newcastle last month but this is his track and trip and today's softer ground will also help. Keith Reveley's gelding is given a chance to recoup losses though Apache Blue should be a threat after bouncing back to form over C&D last time.
La Pantera Rosa (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Led, headed 11th, soon lost place, ridden and weakened 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Papa Caruso (9-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Baltic Pathfinder (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) With leaders, mistake 11th and soon lost place, headway from 2 out, soon ridden, kept on to lead last 100 yards, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gs beating Mighty Magnus (10-10) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Apache Blue (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway on outer from 6th, challenged approaching 3 out, pressed leader 2 out, soon led, headed last, hard ridden run-in, kept on gamely to lead towards finish, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov beating Dystonia's Revenge (11-3) by hd, 11 ran.
Allanard (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Held up, ridden 4 out, headway 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 21l behind O Crotaigh (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Nov.
Bardolet (IRE) 9-2fav (10-12) In rear, ridden before 3 out, plugged on from 2 out, never dangerous, 4th of 9, 24l behind Lockstown (11-9) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Malko de Beaumont (FR) 7-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from last, 3rd of 11, 21l behind Do It For Dalkey (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Oct.
Sycho Fred (IRE) 40-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 12th, ridden after 3 out, 5 lengths down 2 out, closed last, stayed on to lead close home, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs beating Riskier (11-5) by nk, 13 ran.
