chased leading trio, not fluent 5th, went 3rd next, sprawled on landing and nearly unseated rider 8th, recovered to press for well held 3rd 3 out, weakened soon after, not recover
behind, stayed on from 3 out, went 2nd close home, never any chance with winner
chased clear leader, closed after 4 out, led 3 out, clear after 2 out, easily, (no time taken)
led and soon in healthy advantage, reduced lead after 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, no chance with winner from next, weakened flat, lost 2nd close home
behind in 5th, struggling 8th, went modest 3rd after 4 out until soon after next, one pace
chased leading pair until 6th, hit next, went modest 3rd again 8th until after 4 out, weakened and eased soon after, tailed off
Betabob finished just ahead of Stradbrook when they filled the places behind Oscar Gogo at Ffos Las six days ago - he can confirm that form on identical terms. Near The Water is back in the right grade and over a more suitable distance today but Babe Heffron is probably best watched after a lay-off along with Kasimali. BASEBALL TED has been lightly campaigned in the last couple of years but showed the ability was still there when winning at Exeter in November and he remains well treated on his best form.
Stradbrook (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, mistake 7th, slow next, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, hard ridden when lost 2nd after last, no extra, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Oscar Gogo (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Near The Water (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Hampered 1st, behind, reminders 10th, soon struggling, never dangerous, 11th of 16, well behind Major Malarkey (11-6) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Dec.
Babe Heffron (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Made most to before 3 out, weakened from next, 6th of 9, 31l behind Ocarina (10-7) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in May.
Baseball Ted (IRE) 7-4fav (10-8) Chased leader, led 5th, made rest, clear when hit 4 out, driven after 2 out, held on, all out close home, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov beating Flaming Gorge (11-6) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Kasimali (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Soon tracked leaders on outer, 4th halfway, weakening when hampered 6 out, behind from 4 out, 11th of 20, well behind Saddlers Storm (10-9) at Navan 3m nov chs in Mar.
Sieglinde (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 10, 22l behind Giorgio Quercus (11-0) at Kempton 2m Nat Hunt Flat (4yo+) (AWT) (4) std in Dec.
Betabob (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, ridden to challenge approaching last, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Oscar Gogo (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
