tracked leader, led before 4 out, ridden before 3 out, driven out
tracked leaders and keen, went 2nd before 4 out, soon challenging, ridden before last, kept on
led and keen, headed before 4 out, one pace from 3 out, mistake last
held up in rear but in touch, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 13th, chased leaders approaching 4 out, ridden to chase leading pair before 3 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, blundered 7th, not fluent 8th, weakened before 3 out
Ian Williams produced Weird Al to win this event last year and the trainer looks to have another classy chaser in WAYWARD PRINCE. A Grade 1 winner over hurdles, he's won both starts over fences including his latest outing at Cheltenham in November when beating Balthazar King, and can take this before heading for the RSA Chase at next month's Festival. Hollo Ladies is also a Grade 1 winner over timber and won his fourth start over fences when successful at Southwell last month. There should be more to come from him along with Cape Tribulation, but Captain Americo and On His Own look to have a bit to find in this grade.
Wayward Prince 9-4fav (11-4) Held up in touch, slow 2nd, headway to 3rd at 8th, with leaders when not fluent 15th, went 2nd 4 out, almost upsides when left in lead 2 out, stayed on well and driven out flat, won at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) gs in Nov beating Balthazar King (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Cape Tribulation 7-4fav (10-12) Held up in rear and keen, jumped left, weakened from 11th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Little Josh (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f int chs (2) sft in Oct, 5 ran.
Captain Americo (IRE) 11-10fav (11-0) Made all, blundered 7th, quickened clear and mistake 2 out, held on well, driven out, won at Newcastle 3m beg chase (4) sft in Jan beating Negus de Beaumont (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Hollo Ladies (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Held up mainly in 4th, headway to track leader 4 out, challenged next, led narrowly when pecked 2 out, ridden and hard pressed flat, just held on, won at Southwell 3m beg chase (4) gs in Jan beating Be There In Five (11-0) by hd, 5 ran.
On His Own (IRE) 4-9fav (11-2) Soon led, mistake and narrowly headed 13th, stayed challenging, led again before 4 out but strongly pressed, mistake and stumbled 2 out, soon joined, driven to assert final 100 yards, won at Musselburgh 3m beg chase (4) gs in Jan beating Nine De Sivola (11-2) by 1l, 5 ran.
