Verdict

Cara Court got no further than the first fence on her chasing bow but scored over hurdles at Catterick during the week. Hawthorne Bay showed his first worthwhile form with a fourth at Musselburgh last time and though Mansonien L'As is up 6lb for his recent win at Kelso he could still feature. Nicky Tam won a couple of chases in 2011 but hasn't raced since May that year so the token vote goes to ANTONIUS CAESAR. Pulled up at Uttoxeter last time, his earlier third in better company at Catterick would be good enough to win this if back to his best.

Formwatch

Antonius Caesar (FR) 9-1 (10-8) Prominent, not fluent 6th, ridden before 12th, weakened approaching 5 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Rebeccas Choice (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb, 13 ran.

Ballyvoneen (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, lost place before 8th, behind 15th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Alderluck (11-5) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Feb, 15 ran.

Clonbeale Vacation (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, some mistakes, dropped towards rear after mistake 6th, ridden and went 5th approaching 3 out, no extra early straight, tailed off, 5th of 11, well behind Whiskey And Red (11-8) at Thurles 3m hcp chs 0-102 hvy in Dec.

Nicky Tam (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) In touch, not fluent and lost place 9th, given reminders, rallied next, weakened 12th, pulled up before 14th, in a race won by Global Flyer (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in May '11, 6 ran.

Mansonien L'as (FR) 5-2 (10-13) Led until 2nd, tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish, won at Kelso 2m 7f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan beating Soul Angel (10-11) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.

Esme Rides A Gaine 14-1 (10-7) Chased leaders to 3rd, soon ridden and behind, tailed off when pulled up 10th, in a race won by Noble Witness (11-6) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec, 7 ran.

Hawthorne Bay 12-1 (10-9) Mid-division, pushed along before 11th, went 4th before 4 out, one pace, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Knight Woodsman (11-0) at Musselburgh 3m Am hcp ch 0-100 (5) gd in Feb.

Cara Court (IRE) 66-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, headway from halfway, chased leaders 3 out, led before next, strongly challenged after last, ran on well, won at Catterick 2m 3f ldys hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Feb beating Glasson Lad (11-7) by 1l, 15 ran.