>I need to get the last 10 records of a table based on a condition. However, that table is pretty big and I don't want to use the TOP 10 clause as it will take too long. What type of approach can I use which would be the best? I am looking for a SQL approach. If that is not possible then I'll consider using code.

How do you know that TOP 10 would take too long? Try

SELECT TOP 10 *, RECNO() AS recno ;
  FROM mytable ;
  WHERE < your condition > ;
  ORDER BY Recno DESC ;
  INTO CURSOR mycursor