disputed 2nd, definite 2nd at 6th, pushed along and lost 2nd approaching 3 out where went left, soon beaten, went left final 2, tailed off
disputed 2nd, jumped slowly 5th (water), dropped to 3rd next, outpaced 10th, rallied to 2nd approaching 3 out (normal 4 out), jumped right and no chance with winner from 2 out
jumped well, made all, came clear before 2 out, kept on strongly, unchallenged
Proud Times is being kept busy and is back over fences after a fourth over hurdles at Fontwell last Sunday. He has a good strike-rate but is giving 9lb to BINCOMBE, who is better than he showed at Ludlow last month and might be suited by this smaller field. Mr Muddle has been a bit disappointing since finishing second over a shorter trip at Warwick in December but Be Definite is starting to look well treated and it would be no surprise to see Tom George's charge threatening the selection in the closing stages.
Mr Muddle 9-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, not much room 7th, mistake 9th, lost place 11th, no impression after, weakened 2 out, mistake last, 5th of 6, 12l behind Time To Think (11-5) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Jan.
Be Definite (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, kept on towards finish, 4th of 8, 8l behind The Panama Kid (11-5) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Jan.
Bincombe 2-1fav (11-5) Jumped left, chased leading pair, not fluent 2nd, went 2nd after 8th, led next, joined 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, went left and mistake 2 out, soon lost 2nd, weakened and went left last, 3rd of 11, 24l behind Buywise (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Proud Times (USA) 4-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out until ridden before next, stayed on same pace in 3rd, hung left flat, no chance with leading duo, weakened into 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 8, 6l behind Clonusker (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy.
