Timeform Daily: Thursday, Newcastle 14:45

Race of the Day / Timeform / 26 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Graham Lee: Rider of Allanard.

"Allanard looked like one very much ahead of his mark when winning in style at Ayr recently."

Timeform run the rule over a wide-open three-mile handicap chase at Newcastle...

Tyrone House got back on the up when edging out another progressive rival on reappearance at Wetherby (2½m) last month. Longer trip no problem, but another career best required to defy new mark.

Fabalu took well to fences in 2009/10, winning twice at up to 3¼m. Tired badly on return from 21 months off at Ffos Las in December, and hard to gauge how much ability he retains.

Categorical gained 2 of 4 chase wins over shorter at this venue. Stays this far, but not his usual consistent self since a pleasing return in October, running a lifeless race back here last time.

Rolecarr is a real mudlark who gamely registered second chase win at Kelso (25f) last month. More on plate to follow-up, but unlikely to be far away with ideal conditions remaining in place.

Eyre Square has a good strike rate, showing good battling qualities when narrowly landing Scottish Borders National at Kelso last month. Conditions fine and further 5 lb rise not necessarily beyond him.

You Know Yourself has been successful 4 times at up to 3¼m over fences, grinding down rivals for latest win at Carlisle in November, but well held at Haydock last time and yet to win off a mark this high.

Montoya's Son was better than ever first-time up for this yard when third at Doncaster (19f) in December. Shaped as if amiss last time, though, and stamina to prove pitched in against some real staying types here.

Etxalar got back on track when chasing home an in-form rival at Carlisle (3¼m) in November, but suspect jumping again in evidence at Cheltenham last time and needs to keep the errors down if he is to prevail.

Minster Shadow is a thorough stayer who has achieved little of note since his runner-up effort off a higher mark at Carlisle (3¼m) in November 2010, offering no hint of a revival at that venue in October.

Morgan Be was successful in a 25f Hexham handicap in March. Firm step back in the right direction when finishing on the heels of Etxalar at Carlisle in November and not out of this by any means.

Allanard has been progressing nicely over fences, jumping with aplomb in a first-time visor when winning with some authority at Ayr (25f) recently. Obvious claims under his penalty if visor has same effect.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Allanard
2. Eyre Square
3. Morgan Be

Timeform View: Several of these are suited by a slog through the mud and choosing between them isn't easy. That said, Allanard looked like one very much ahead of his mark when winning in style at Ayr recently and could well be up to defying his penalty. Eyre Square and Morgan Be are suggested as the best alternatives.

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Timeform's Horses to Follow Extra Festival Trials edition is out now and features no less than five big-race previews and an interview with Nigel Twiston-Davies.