in touch, lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway to go clear 2nd 4th, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
in touch when badly hampered, unable to jump 1st, hopelessly continued until pulled up before 2nd
left in touch 1st, outpaced 4th, soon well behind
in touch, left in lead 1st, made rest, soon clear, stayed on well, unchallenged
held up in rear when hampered 1st, went moderate 3rd approaching 3 out, never on terms
in touch when badly hampered, unable to jump 1st, hopelessly continued until pulled up after 3rd
raced keenly, led, soon clear until veered badly left, refused 1st
in touch, badly hampered, unable to jump 1st, hopelessly continued until pulled up before next
Newcomer Allanard rates as interesting while the unexposed pair of Catch Bob and REINDEER DIPPIN should have the race between them with the latter getting the nod. The Donald McCain gelding has done very little wrong in four starts without winning finishing behind some useful looking types including Cheltenham festival bound Quartz De Thaix. That was on his penultimate start when well clear in second and he doesn't have anything that good to face here on ground he enjoys. Catch Bob fell on his last visit here but followed that up with a win over distance at Sedgefield. He perhaps should have done better next time up when wasting a decent looking opportunity at Newcastle but it could have been the ground was against him and he won't want it any softer here. Any market support for Allanard should be noted on his racecourse debut. He is related to some minor winners but this looks a tough start to his racing career. To be fair there's nothing else in the race that appeals and nothing as much as Reindeer Dippin.
Allanard (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Allatrim.
Catch Bob (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up, steady headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 6th of 11, 23l behind Magellan Straits (10-13) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Galapagos Islands 100-1 (11-5) Chased leaders on outside, lost place 7th, soon weakened, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Time For Rupert (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Mick Flavin (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Raced wide, mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by What A Buzz (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Reindeer Dippin 10-1 (11-1) Led, headed after 2nd, led again 6th, headed next, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 5l behind Lord Larsson (11-1) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Royal Flynn 9-1 (11-3) Always behind, 10th of 14, 28l behind Ormus (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Rich Girl (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 13th of 16, well behind Livvy Inn (10-2) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Bad Lashes 20-1 (10-2) Held up, lost place before halfway, last of 9, well behind Turbo Island (10-2) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Bernshaw 50-1 (10-12) In touch, lost place over 4f out, soon weakened, 13th of 16, well behind Donny Briggs (10-12) at Newcastle 1m 6f nhf (5) sft in Dec.
