not always fluent, led until 4 out, soon led again, headed before 3 out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd last
held up in rear, not always fluent, closed from 4th, 3rd and no impression on winner 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, tailed off
some slow jumps, behind until pulled up before 6th
mid-division, not always fluent, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
not always fluent, held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 2nd last, no impression on winner
mid-division, weakened well before 3 out, tailed off
tracked leader, challenged 6th, led 4 out, soon headed, led again before 3 out, drew clear, easily
chased leaders, lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off
Brian Hughes is the regular rider of both PRESENTANDCOUNTING and Onward Route. He appears to have chosen the former, a winner five times over fences since last seen over hurdles, over the penalised Hexham winner. A winning stayer on the Flat, Arabescato could be a danger is taking to hurdles and he makes more appeal than the former pointer Champagne Gift.
Onward Route (IRE) 11-10fav (11-2) Made all, slow 3rd, not fluent 2 out or when clear last, stayed on, ridden out, won at Hexham 2m (3) gd in Jun beating Pavlik (11-2) by 7l, 10 ran.
Arabescato 7-4fav (9-9) Held up in touch in rear, plenty to do 2f out, pushed along and headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to chase winner close home, nearest finish, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Overhaugh Street (8-7) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Cabayo Lord George 125-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, remote 7th over 4f out, no impression on leaders, plugged on, 5th of 9, 27 3/4l behind Hugos New Horse (10-13) at Worcester 2m (5) sft in Oct.
Champagne Gift (IRE) Evens (12-2) Chsd ldrs, drpd to last 3out, left 3rd 2out, prog aftr 2out, ld last, no ex flat & hdd cl hm, 2nd of 4, hd behind Access Granted (11-11) at Boulta 3m mdn gs in Nov.
Festive Glory (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Soon steadied into mid-division on inside, pushed along to close over 5f out, outpaced over 3f out, plugged on, no impression, 6th of 13, 18 1/2l behind Western Zephyr (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gs in Jan.
Mankhool (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along in rear of mid-division after 4 out, no impression when not fluent 2 out, no extra, 9th of 12, 28 1/4l behind Kashi (11-4) at Cork 2m 3f Good - Yielding in May.
Presentandcounting (IRE) 12-1 (11-13) In touch in mid-division on outside, outpaced after 11th, well beaten 4 out, last of 9, 22 1/4l behind Demachine (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May.
Top Drawer (IRE) 18-1 (10-2) Mid-division, plugged on final 2f, not trouble leaders, 5th of 14, 10 1/2l behind Jack Of All Shapes (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
