in rear, lost touch 3rd, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
raced keenly, in touch on outside, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
tracked leaders, hampered 4th, soon outpaced, ridden to chase leading pair after 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure, just failed for 2nd, no chance with winner
tracked leaders on inside when fell 4th
tracked leader, led 3 out, soon clear, ridden out flat, comfortably
pulled hard, tracked leaders, outpaced when jumped left 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up in touch, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
Baggsy was the shock winner of a novices' seller here in November but has since finished tailed off on the Flat at Southwell. Irish import Harry Hunt almost made a successful hurdling debut for new connections when just caught over 2m1f at Hereford. Visored for the first time here, he's an obvious threat to all but MIEREVELD may have his measure. Two moderate efforts over timber during the summer suggest Brian Ellison's charge is no star but he's since improved on the Flat, scoring at Southwell last month, and his yard has begun the New Year in outstanding form. Ultravox was a dozen lengths behind Harry Hunt at Hereford and can hardly be expected to turn the tables and it's more likely that the filly Kitty Koo, who had an unlucky run on her Sandown debut, will prove more of a threat.
Baggsy (IRE) 28-1 (10-0) In rear, ridden and some headway 5th, moved into 5th before 2 out, closed under pressure before last, stayed on to lead post, won at Towcester 2m nov sll hdl (5) sft in Nov beating Big Talk (10-11) by nk, 11 ran.
Harry Hunt 28-1 (10-12) Led until 5th, ridden and edged left after 3 out, stayed on under pressure to regain lead before last, hard pressed, headed close home, 2nd of 11, ns behind Tiptronic (10-9) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gs in Nov.
King's Realm (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened before last, 7th of 16, 16l behind Pilgreen (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Miereveld 9-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, hampered by loose horse after 3rd, awkward next, not fluent 5th, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 7, 25l behind Sassanian (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Royal And Ancient (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear on inside, pushed along before 4 out, weakened soon after, 6th of 8, 36l behind Marsh Warbler (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) sft.
Ultravox (USA) 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, under pressure 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 12, 7l behind Comedy Act (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 3yo hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Kitty Koo (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Raced keenly tracking leaders, effort when blundered 3 out, rider lost iron, effort approaching last, never able to challenge, 3rd of 9, 25l behind Dolatulo (11-5) at Sandown 2m 3yo hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Rare Malt (IRE) 5-4fav (10-9) In touch, ridden after 5th, struggling and beaten next, 5th of 6, well behind Joan D'Arc (11-1) at Fakenham 2m juv fll nov hdl (3yo) (3) gs in Nov.
