chased leader, led briefly 5th, led 8th until mistake and went right next, chased winner, driven and no impression on long run to 2 out, lost 2nd before last, kept on same pace flat
held up off the pace in last pair, went 4th at 6th, left 3rd 3 out, switched right and went 2nd before last, one pace and no impression flat
led, reminders after 4th, headed briefly 5th, blundered and headed 8th, dropped to 3rd, pushed along when fell 3 out
off the pace in 4th, reminders 6th soon weakened, behind and pulled up before 8th
well in rear, left modest 4th and hampered 3 out, never on terms, tailed off
chased leading pair, went 2nd 8th, led next, made rest, ridden before last, stayed on well
Ancient Times beat W Six Times comfortably at Ayr but failed to confirm the form a couple of weeks later from 8lb higher. He's gone up again and may prefer more testing conditions. Cara Court is well up to this level and isn't badly treated with his rider's claim taken into account while the in-form Prince Blackthorn should make a bold bid to complete a hat-trick at this modest level despite another rise in the weights. He holds Sametheman and Western Bound on recent form but SOLWAY DORNAL may prove too good in receipt of so much weight. He was having his first start since October when runner-up to Be Bop Boru at Newcastle last week and looks well enough treated to go one better.
Cara Court (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Jumped right, led, edged right on bend before 5th, headed and reminder 7th, still prominent when mistake and unseated rider 9th, in a race won by Tokyo Javilex (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft, 5 ran.
Samtheman 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, weakened from 9th, 6th of 7, 24l behind Whiskey Ridge (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy in Feb.
Ancient Times (USA) 6-1 (10-11) With leader, went 3rd before 3 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 7l behind W Six Times (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Feb.
Prince Blackthorn (IRE) 11-4 (10-9) Held up in touch, headway before 2 out, led run-in, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan beating Cloudy Dawn (9-11) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Western Bound (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, fell 7th, in a race won by Prince Blackthorn (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Dec, 7 ran.
Solway Dornal 33-1 (9-11) Led, headed after 3 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Be Bop Boru (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft.
