close up, tracked leaders 5th, went 2nd 3 out, led soon after next, ridden out (first hurdle after winning post omitted on all hurdles)
tracked leaders until ridden with a circuit to go, soon behind, plugged on at own pace
in touch, lost touch 5th, behind when pulled up on long run to 3 out
disputed lead until ridden 3 out, weakened next, pulled up last
in touch in rear when mistake and unseated rider 5th
disputed lead until led 3 out, ridden and headed soon after next, kept on one pace
Ascendant reverts to plating company having finished third in a handicap at Ludlow last time. He will probably start favourite but is rated only 3lb higher than the much younger Vive Le Roi, who receives 6lb and also drops in class. Roman Numeral was second in a Catterick seller back over hurdles but, along with Changing The Guard, has a mountain to climb on these terms. The three-year-old ULYSSES could be the interesting one. Placed twice over 1m4f on the all-weather, he was fourth on his only run over hurdles at Fontwell and is probably capable of better.
Ascendant 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led briefly 4th, led 4 out, headed 3 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 8 1/2l behind Litterale Ci (11-7) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Changing The Guard 25-1 (11-6) Held up, reminders 7th, ridden and weakened 4 out, 5th of 7, 31 1/4l behind Bajardo (11-12) at Fakenham 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Roman Numeral (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, mistake last, headed and no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Shalamzar (10-7) at Catterick 2m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Vive Le Roi (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake 3 out, soon lost place, 5th of 8, 27l behind Ding Ding (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Geni Johnson (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, trailing from 4 out, completely tailed off, last of 17, dist behind Arvico Bleu (11-4) at Clonmel 2m 1f mdn sft in Sep.
Ulysses (GER) 8-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along on outside after 5th, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, went 4th after last, no impression with leaders, 4th of 10, 8 3/4l behind Lord E (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Sep.
