tracked leader until before 5th, weakened from 6th, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway before 7th, ridden before 2 out, no extra from last
led, ridden and headd before 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 5th, mistake 2 out, weakened before last
held up mid-division, headway before 6th, ridden after 2 out, kept on
in rear, weakened after 7th, pulled up after 2 out
held up towards rear, headway before 7th, led before 2 out, clear before last
ANCIENT TIMES is only a pound higher than when second over fences here earlier in the month. He won over hurdles on heavy ground at Ayr last month so the switch back to the smaller obstacles shouldn't be a problem and he has the best recent form of these. Saddlers Mot was second at Southwell two runs ago but still beaten 17 lengths and has gone up a pound since while it's a long time since Pegasus Prince showed any worthwhile form. Likewise Treason Trial but Dun To Perfection is lightly raced and did win at Carlisle in November, though hasn't been seen since.
Pegasus Prince (USA) 50-1 (11-7) Behind, weakened after 6th, soon detached, pulled up, in a race won by Daasij (11-6) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs, 14 ran.
Saddlers Mot 22-1 (11-4) Mid-division, fell 5th, in a race won by Northern Acres (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft, 12 ran.
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.
Greatown (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Took keen hold towards rear, not fluent and behind from 5th, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Who's Cross (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Dun To Perfection 40-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 5th, led before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well, won at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Nov beating Livvy Inn (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Treason Trial 40-1 (10-7) Led into start, took keen hold, soon close up, lost place 5th, jumped right and behind next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Coverholder (11-10) at Wetherby 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Feb, 16 ran.
Mootabar (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 7th of 15, 19l behind Mutanaker (10-8) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
