mid-division in 4th, went 3rd after 3 out, challenged last, soon led, kept on well
in touch in 4th, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 8th, one pace in 3rd before last
in rear, pushed along and weakened before 2 out
with leader, led after 3rd, headed after last, kept on and always held
towards rear, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace
led, headed after 3rd, pushed along and lost place after 5th, weakened from 3 out, tailed off
ASCENDANT may be a 12-year-old but has become a standing dish in races like this and can notch a fifth win in six starts this season. Rock Of Leon is a bit of a character but is the only possible danger to the selection at the weights unless Quadriga, a four times winner on the all-weather, takes an instant liking to hurdles, though he’s not been in the best of form lately.
Ascendant 15-8 (11-12) Close up, tracked leaders 5th, went 2nd 3 out, led soon after next, ridden out (first hurdle after winning post omitted on all hurdles), won at Fakenham 2m 4f (5) hvy in Jan beating Ulysses (10-7) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Atlas Peak (IRE) 100-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, soon tracked leaders, weakened before 3 out, pulled up, at Catterick 2m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Captain Sharpe 50-1 (10-4) In rear, pushed along after 5 out, ridden before 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 22 1/4l behind Misfits (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Quadriga (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Towards rear, ridden and switched right over 1f out, kept on, nearest finish, 5th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Port Soif (9-5) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Rock Of Leon 80-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, blundered 12th, headway on inside approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out, blundered next, 8th of 9, 17l behind Acdc (11-4) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Roman Numeral (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) In touch, lost touch 5th, behind when pulled up on long run to 3 out, at Fakenham 2m 4f (5) hvy in Jan.
My Brown Eyed Girl 66-1 (10-0) Behind, headway 5 out, weakened after next, pulled up before 2 out, at Wetherby 3m hcp (5) sft in Dec.