Young Wolf was having only his second start over timber when a very close third over this trip at Hereford. That was on soft ground so he has to prove he handles today's conditions and the concession of 8lb to ALWAYS RESOLUTE may prove beyond him. He made a successful debut for Ian Williams at Wetherby in November and may have found the ground too soft and the longer trip beyond him at Ascot next time. Blottos won three times over hurdles around this time last year but didn't show much over fences on his reappearance nor in his latest start back over timber. Judge Earle won a maiden hurdle at Perth for Richard Fahey but finished tailed off on his debut for new connections at Chepstow in November.
Young Wolf (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Mid-division headway 5 out, chased leaders next, led after 3 out, strongly challenged approaching last, headed flat, soon rallied, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 16, 1/2l behind Star Of Lanka (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Blottos (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Prominent, not fluent and reminders 3rd, soon led, headed before 3 out, lost place 2 out, 9th of 14, 29 1/4l behind Teescomponents Lad (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Judge Earle (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, lost place 7th, well beaten before 4 out, 13th of 14, dist behind Django Django (11-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Always Resolute 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division on inside, pushed along over 3f out, plugged on, 6th of 14, 13l behind Darling Maltaix (11-4) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
