All six can have a fair case made for their chances in an open heat but equally there are question marks of one kind or another against most of the field too. The safest choice looks to be ANCIENT TIMES, only narrowly denied the hat-trick last time at Sedgefield by Milan Royale. Obviously, there is the concern that the handicapper may have caught up with him but he does seem more likely to run his race than most of his rivals and he gets on well with Kyle James. Vosges looks in the handicapper's grip at present, Bright Cloud is hard to fathom and Samson Collonges has failed to complete the last twice after looking to be on an upward curve over the larger obstacles, twice scoring here. He would be the main threat off this mark if back to that winning form, whilst Bollin Fiona could be on the improve after her effort in a small field last time on her chasing debut.
Bollin Fiona 14-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, jumped slow 2nd and next soon behind, left 2nd and hampered 5th, headway to close on winner next, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 9l behind Micro Mission (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f mrs nov chs (5yo+) (4) hvy in Feb.
Vosges (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Led, headed 4 out, rallied 2 out, left in 2nd after last, kept on, 2nd of 5, 6l behind The Fox's Decree (10-9) at Catterick 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Ancient Times (USA) 11-10fav (11-5) Led, reminders halfway, jumped slow and headed 9th, chased leader until ridden 3 out, rallied flat to snatch 2nd post, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Milan Royale (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Shooting Times 3-1 (11-7) Prominent, jumped left and led 3rd, headed 5th, led 6th until 8th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 8, 31l behind Mansonien L'as (10-13) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan.
Bright Cloud (IRE) 4-1fav (10-0) Chased leaders, blunderd 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, well behind Everaard (11-9) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Samson Collonges (FR) 11-4 (10-4) Mid-division, went 3rd at 8th, went 2nd from 6 out, weakened after 5 out, tailed off and pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Dingo Bay (10-7) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Feb, 8 ran.
