made all, soon well clear, mistake 14th, cantered round unchallenged
mistake 1st, chased clear and easy winner until pulled up lame and dismounted before 4 out
held up, left distance 2nd 4 out, no chance with winner
Nonrunner
Following on from Celtic Boy and Yes Sir, trainer Peter Bowen can complete a hat-trick of wins in this race with Contact Dancer, who is much the best on official ratings and Allborn Lad looks the one for the forecast. Punters won't be blessed with a giveaway price about the Welsh raider, who is probably about 20lbs or so clear of his nearest rival, stays well and acts on fast ground. Provided he jumps around then he finally looks capable of breaking his chasing maiden tag at the 16th attempt. Allborn Lad has nothing like the experience of the selection, but has shown some aptitude for the game and acts on fast ground. He does see out this trip and is quite well related, so he is probably good enough to be next best here. The other pair look decidedly ordinary, but Strong Command can probably win their own private race for third, but for the winner we have to be with Contact Dancer here.
Contact Dancer (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Chased clear leader, headway to lead after 12th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon one pace, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind BallaBriggs (11-0) at Bangor 3m beg chs (4) sft in Mar.
Strong Command (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 10, well behind Media Man (11-0) at Perth 2m mdn chs (4) gf.
Cupid's Mission (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, headway 8th, outpaced 5 out, 7th of 8, well behind Palmers Peak (10-12) at Kelso 3m 1f nov chs (3) gs.
Allborn Lad (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Led, headed when mistake 14th, remainded prominent, ridden when mistake 3 out and 2 out, no extra approaching final furlong, 5th of 8, 12l behind Palmers Peak (10-12) at Kelso 3m 1f nov chs (3) gs.
