towards rear, pushed along before 6 out, soon weakened
in rear, pushed along before 6 out, weakened from 5 out, tailed off, pulled up before last
towards rear, soon mid-division, chased leaders before 4 out, weakened next
towards rear, pushed along after 6th, soon outpaced, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd run-in
tracked leaders in 4th, weakened in 3rd before last, lost 3rd place run-in
led to before 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up
with leader, went 3rd before 3 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression
held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders in 3rd, led 5 out, clear 2 out, stayed on well
mid-division, weakened from 5 out
Ancient Times won this last year and showed himself in good heart with a battling victory over today's rival, the well-supported W Six Times, over the course and distance a fortnight ago with See The Legend 7l back in third. The front pair have shot up the weights but thrive in the ground and have to be considered. Wayne Manor has yet to win over hurdles but was very unfortunate at Newcastle last time and with Grant Cockburn using his claim he has a fair chance to put matters right. He was just behind Madam Lilibet on that occasion but can reverse the form and get involved along with Millers Reef, who was suited by stepping up in trip at Wetherby and was unlucky to slip up at Sedgefield when travelling well. SCIMON TEMPLAR doesn't look one to trust entirely though if he runs up to the form shown when beaten a nose by Blake Dean, who was receiving 9lb, at Newcastle, he should gain his first success.
Wayne Manor (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, badly hampered 2nd, headway before 9th to chase leaders, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Total Assets (11-7) at Newcastle 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Thorlak (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway when not fluent 8th, not much room 3 out, ridden next, 5th and beaten last, 5th of 10, 10l behind Masterleaderman (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Millers Reef (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, close up and every chance when not much room and fell on bend after 3 out, in a race won by Admiral Blake (10-11) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
Madam Lilibet (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway before 7th, pushed along and outpaced before 4 out, chased winner from last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Total Assets (11-7) at Newcastle 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Scimon Templar (FR) 10-3 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, headway 5th, went 2nd when jumped left and not fluent 2 out, driven to challenge flat, nosed ahead close home, headed last strides, 2nd of 9, ns behind Blake Dean (10-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan.
Amethyst Rose (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 8th of 9, well behind Ancient Times (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan.
Ancient Times (USA) 10-3 (10-5) Led, soon clear until before 6th, pressed and pecked 3 out, ridden and under pressure from 2 out, kept on gamely and hung left run-in, driven out, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan beating W Six Times (9-9) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
See The Legend 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders in 3rd, every chance 2 out, weakened after last, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Ancient Times (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan.
W Six Times 3-1fav (9-9) Held up in touch in 4th, went 3rd after 4 out, challenged 2 out, every chance run-in, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Ancient Times (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan.
Mrs Grass 66-1 (9-11) Tracked leader, mistake 5th, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Ancient Times (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
Trouble In Paris (IRE) 7-2 (9-13) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened 6 out, tailed off from 4 out, modest 4th, 4th of 5, 38l behind The Panama Kid (11-11) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
