in touch, chased leader from 9th, ridden after 2 out, kept on to join leader on line
tracked leaders in 3rd, challenged 4 out, weakened next
led, clear from 3 out, ridden approaching last, started to tire flat, joined on line
tracked winner until 9th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when jumped left 3 out
held up in rear and keen, jumped left, weakened from 11th, soon pulled up
WEIRD AL has to concede weight to his four rivals but can do so with aplomb. Unbeaten over obstacles, Ian Williams' son of Accordion doesn't have a penalty kick here but he is a horse of great potential. The ground is in his favour and he can take this en-route to the Hennessey. Door Boy has no problem with the ground and his record fresh is impressive; he beat Little Josh at Aintree on his first run last year. The latter re-opposes and will find this ground more suitable than when a gallant sixth in the RSA Chase. Cape Tribulation was rated 155 over hurdles and he got the job done on his chasing debut at Hexham, albeit not too impressively. The Hollinwell completes the field and whilst a good season awaits he is likely to come up short today.
Weird Al (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Held up, headway 12th, went 2nd before 4 out, led after next, soon ridden, stayed on well flat (no time taken), won at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Feb beating Knockara Beau (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Door Boy (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, tracked leaders after 3rd, led after 8th, hit 4 out, headed after 2 out, weakened from last, 6th of 10, 8l behind Burton Port (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Little Josh (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, took keen hold, hit 7th and 4 out, lost 2nd before next, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 39l behind Weapon's Amnesty (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
The Hollinwell 12-1 (11-0) Towards rear, not fluent 9th, outpaced 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Copper Bleu (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar, 20 ran.
Cape Tribulation 4-7fav (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 6th, went 2nd approaching 9th, jumped left 4 out, led last, ridden out (no time taken), won at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) gs beating Magical Legend (10-11) by 4l, 8 ran.
