Although he has gone up another 4lbs despite finding just Oscar Jack too good in a similar contest at Taunton last time, it is hard to get away from BASEBALL TED, who gets the verdict ahead of Whatcanisay and Anchor Bridge. The Venetia Williams-trained gelding was slightly disappointing at Towcester on Boxing Day and remains a maiden but the yard have been in fine form of late and he has to be respected. Billesey has been well held in recent starts and looks best watched, as does Red Jester who has given little sign of encouragement in two starts since winning at Towcester in May. Nigel Hawke's Diego Velasquez is held by the selection on running at Taunton and a bigger threat is likely to come from Jimmy Frost's Whatcanisay, who has slipped to a fair mark. Baseball Ted looks harshly treated for his latest effort but this is a poor looking contest and he is hard to oppose.
Billesey (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Prominent, lost place 6th, well behind 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Fresh Air And Fun (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft, 13 ran.
Baseball Ted (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Led, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened flat, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Oscar Jack (11-1) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
Diego Velasquez (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) In touch, blundered 9th, ridden 4 out, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 8l behind Oscar Jack (11-1) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
Anchor Bridge (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, mistake 10th, plugged on, 6th of 13, 37l behind Zanzibar Boy (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Whatcanisay 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance approaching 4 out, weakened quickly, 5th of 9, 36l behind Rosie All Over (11-12) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Red Jester 7-1 (11-3) Led until 11th, soon ridden, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Cebonne (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Aug, 7 ran.
