chased leaders, under pressure 3 out, soon ridden, never on terms
led, headed 8th, under pressure 10th, soon tailed off, pulled up 5 out
prominent, weakened approaching 4 out
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace
tracked leader, led 8th, hard ridden and challenged after 2 out, kept on well under pressure
tracked leaders, keen hold early, ridden after 3 out, mistake last, stayed on well
BALLYGALLEY BOB may be the one to prevail in a tight handicap where Zanzibar Boy and Herecomestanley have live claims. It's a concern that the selection has run some of his best races at Towcester as the tracks could hardly be more contrasting in nature but he's given the chance to prove his versatility. Fakenham often suits a front-runner and if he can get into a rhythm around here then he might not be easy to pass. Zanzibar Boy has the raw ability to win this but he has never been the easiest to train or to catch right. It was disappointing that he didn't fare better on his reappearance but he can never be ruled out. Kawagino has added a new string to his bow with a victory over a similar trip but the form of the race is a little suspect and carrying a big weight under these conditions may not be ideal. Bubble Boy has his own way of doing things and is likely to pop up when least expected as he did at Leicester and of more interest may be the well handicapped course winner Herecomestanley whose stable was in good form in December. Pelo Du Bief is hardly a forlorn hope either but a chance is taken for Ballygalley Bob.
Kawagino (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Held up, fell 2nd, in a race won by Master Overseer (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 12 ran.
Bubble Boy (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Disputed lead until 3rd, tracked leader after, ridden 3 out, ridden and every chance when blundered last, rallied flat, stayed on to lead post, won at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec beating Runshan (10-7) by ns, 11 ran.
BallyGalley Bob (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd 7th until after next, remained prominent, challenged and every chance 2 out, still well there last, not quicken flat, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Free World (11-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Nov.
Herecomestanley 33-1 (11-6) Help up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, hit 3 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 13, 12l behind Noun De La Thinte (10-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Zanzibar Boy 15-8fav (11-1) Not fluent, chased leading pair, blundered 6th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 4th of 6, 13l behind Quattrocento (11-9) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Pelo Du Bief (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Held up, headway 9th, challenging when blundered 4 out, soon led, just over 2 lengths ahead when fell heavily 2 out, in a race won by Shaking Hands (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov, 10 ran.
