held up, last when mistake 4th, soon ridden, not fluent and lost touch from next, tailed off
led until before 3 out, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner
tracked leaders, took keen hold, mistake 3rd, ridden after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
pressed leader until ridden before 5th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 5th, led before 3 out, soon clear, driven out
held up in rear, ridden before 5th, soon well beaten
held up, not fluent 2nd, ridden after 5th, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, 5 lengths 4th and looked held when stumbled and fell just after 3 out
mid-division, outpaced after 5th, left 4th 3 out, one pace, unable to get on terms
tracked leaders, ridden and no impression on winner from 3 out, stayed on same pace
A modest contest in which Ancient Times would be the one if only able to rediscover some of the excellent handicap form displayed in the early months of this year. The market may well prove the best guide to his chances after a quartet of disappointing runs but PAGHAM BELLE is only put forth as a hopeful alternative. Nigel Hawke's mare was much improved last time on heavy ground when runner-up to Bathwick Junior at Chepstow and therefore should have no issues with forecast conditions. That latest run represented a dramatic improvement on previous efforts and hopefully she has now turned a corner and can progress again. A similar effort off a 3lb higher mark would probably suffice. Whispering Harry cannot be ruled out after his comfortable Stratford victory and must make the shortlist but has yet to encounter the likely soft ground. He'll go close if doing so.
On The Record (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened after 7th, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Chiberta King (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Logical Approach (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Chased leader, ridden before 2 out, no extra, 5th of 14, 19l behind Dynamic Drive (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Oct.
Rose Red 8-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway when not fluent 3 out, no impression next, 7th of 9, 11l behind Pollystone (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Sep.
Ancient Times (USA) 10-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, 6th of 8, well behind Morning Time (11-5) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Poetic Power (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, driven 3 out, never near leaders, 9th of 14, 14l behind Hail Tiberius (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Oct.
Adili (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) In rear, soon outpaced and not fluent, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 47l behind Grand Gold (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (2) gd in Sep '12.
Whispering Harry 8-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced when not fluent 2 out, chased leading pair between last 2, switched outside and ridden to challenge before last, led soon after, stayed on flat, won at Stratford 2m hcp hld 0-95 (5) sft in Oct beating Lordship (10-7) by 2l, 9 ran.
Pagham Belle 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, headed before last, no extra, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Bathwick Junior (11-1) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy.
Lean Burn (USA) 16-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, 9th and ridden before 3 out, no impression, 7th of 14, 21l behind My Lad Percy (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Prince Freddie 20-1 (10-5) Not fluent 1st, held up, driven along and no chance when badly hampered 3 out, 5th of 9, 26l behind Blake Dean (9-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft.
