held up towards rear, reminders after 8th, never on terms
chased leaders, not fluent 9th, ridden 3 out, beaten before last, weakened flat
mid-division, headway 9th, weakened approaching 4 out, blundered and unseated rider 3 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, never reached leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
reminders after 8th, always towards rear
held up, struggling 8th, always in rear
held up in rear, jumped right 1st, well behind 8th, stayed on from 3 out, never dangerous
held up, not fluent 9th, headway approaching 4 out, ridden and close 3rd last, hung right flat, kept on
chased leaders, hit 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out
led, clear 4th, ridden and headed when bumped flat, ran on
mid-division, headway when not fluent 7th, hit 9th, went 2nd approaching 4 out, challenged last, hung right and led flat, ran on
chased leader until approaching 4 out, soon weakened
ridden after 5th, always in rear, tailed off 8th, pulled up before 4 out
BASEBALL TED gets our support here, given his recent form, but Walsingham and Battlefield are also worthy of consideration and complete our shortlist. Phillip Hobbs' gelding is going up the weights but his front running style will be suited here, as he looks to build on a win and two runners up spots from his last three outings. He's looking like there's more improvement to come. Battlefield lost his maiden tag last time out at the 20th attempt, when running well out of the handicap in his first outing for more than a year. He's got plenty in hand with many here at the weights, but it's open to question whether he can repeat that Leicester run. Walsingham doesn't always get round, but has ability. He finished behind course regular Tyup Pompey recently, but the trainer does well here. Colliers Court is the other course and distance winner in the field, but that was five years ago. It could be a decent little race this, but we'll side with Baseball Ted.
Mr Prickle (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Prominent, disputed lead 7th, driven, outpaced after 5 out, soon ridden, lost place 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 9, 16l behind Daldini (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft in Jan.
Baseball Ted (IRE) 11-8fav (10-2) Led, hit 6th, ridden well before last, joined last, driven and took narrow advantage running until headed near finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Consigliere (11-10) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 40-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 11l behind Lorient Express (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Golden Duck (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway 6th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 15, 18l behind Six Day War (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Mad Professor (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, some headway on outside from 3 out, hit 2 out, 5th and no chance when hit last, 5th of 14, 7l behind Dee Cee Elle (10-5) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Smoke Trail (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Chased leader, led 5th to 10th, weakened 13th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Alcatras (10-1) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Mungo Jerry (GER) 20-1 (11-0) Soon well behind, struggling before 6th, 12th of 14, 22l behind Rosoff (10-9) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Just Like That 6-1fav (10-7) Held up in rear, blundered 13th, headway approaching 4 out, went left and weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 20l behind Fresh Air And Fun (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Stealing Moments (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Prominent, led 4 out to 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 15, 12l behind I'moncloudnine (11-10) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Colliers Court 40-1 (10-8) Pressed leader until approaching 4th, weakened quickly and pulled up at the 5th in race won by Amble Forge (11-2) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 8 ran.
Battlefield 16-1 (9-12) Always prominent, chased leader approaching 3rd, led just after 7th, not fluent 9th, jumped left final 2, edged right flat, driven clear, won at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec beating Ours (11-12) by 6l, 7 ran.
Walsingham (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) With leader, led 3rd to 6th, weakened approaching 9th, behind when fell 5 out in race won by Desert Secrets (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (5) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
Nabir (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, weakened after 4 out, 10th of 16, well behind Kinkeel (10-2) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs (5) sft in Jan.
