made all, not fluent 3rd, clear after last, easily
jumped left and not fluent, chased leading pair until 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, went 3rd flat
held up, hit 4th and reminder, not fluent 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, tracked leading pair from 5th, mistake 3 out, weakened next, lost 3rd flat
tracked winner throughout, ridden and no impression after last, one pace
WILLIAM'S WISHES, who missed a cahnce to enhance his reputation in the Grade 2 Lightning Novices' Chase at Doncaster's abandoned fixture yesterday, won at Ludlow and Leicester in the autumn and complete his hat-trick here, despite conceding weight all round. Evan Williams' six-year-old jumps well and should have too much speed for Babysitter, who will surely need further in time and would have finished a remote last of three to Finian's Rainbow at Newbury on his fencing bow had Tail Of The Bank not fallen three out. Outside The Box may be the pick of the remainder as Humbel Ben was pulled up on his reappearance at Chepstow and is trying fences for the first time.
William's Wishes (IRE) 2-9fav (11-7) Took keen hold, held up in 3rd, hit 5th, went 2nd 4 out, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, led last, ran on, won at Leicester 2m nov chs (3) gd in Nov beating Sonning Star (11-1) by 11l, 5 ran.
Babysitter (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Led until after 1st, dropped to 3rd next, never travelled or jumped with any fluency after, outpaced 8th, weakened 10th, tailed off when left distant 2nd 3 out, 2nd of 3, well behind Finian's Rainbow (11-4) at Newbury 2m 1f nov chs (3) sft.
Humbel Ben (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Always behind, pulled up before 7th, in a race won by Universal Soldier (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft, 18 ran.
Medellin (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Soon led, not jump well, joined from 5 out, soon headed, weakened from 3 out, 11th of 12, well behind Mr Dazza (11-4) at Tramore 2m mdn hdl fm in Aug.
Outside The Box 66-1 (11-0) Jumped badly right, led and raced keenly early, headed 6th, tracked leader, lost place 9th, soon lost touch with leading pair, tailed off, 3rd of 4, well behind Hold Fast (11-0) at Southwell 2m nov chs (4) gs.