Paul, I think due to D1 units only counting half VPs if they escape, then it is advantageous for them to fight to block the attackers and let the others escape.
I've played one battle a bit like this before - and my attackers got over-involved in a fight with a single tough unit towards the front of the defenders, which allowed the rest to escape. It does come down to distances - both from the attackers to the defenders and for the defenders to escape. Looking at this layout I think D3 would have a lot of trouble getting down the table even with little interference from the enemy.
But the carts of loot add an interesting dimension to D3. Lex, a further question on these, when you say these are worth the points of the stand that captures them (which is a cool idea) do you mean 1/3 the unit cost, or something different?