in touch, headway before 2 out, led before last, held on near finish
in rear, struggling from 3rd, soon tailed off, pulled up
chased leaders, a close 3rd when fell 2 out
held up towards rear, outpaced from 3 out, one one and no impression from 2 out
in touch, headway before 2 out, every chance last, held towards finish
chased leaders, led 4 out, headed before last, no extra run-in
led, headed 4 out, weakened after 2 out
NAUTICAL TWILIGHT won over hurdles on this track and made a very encouraging debut over fences here when only just failing to hold Love The Leader. He'll improve for the experience and can go one better. Rear Admiral, four times a winner between the flags, finished runner-up in four of his five starts over regulation fences and though not seen since April that's never a problem for one from his yard. Friendly Royal made all at Hexham and though presented with the race when a rival fell at the last he would have been involved in the finish. Lyric Street was in tremendous form over hurdles during the summer but, after a reasonable chasing debut, finished a long way last of four at Ludlow. Minella Hero completed a double over timber in early summer but reappeared at Carlisle last month and finished tailed off. Hughesie has plenty to do on his return after a long break.
Hughesie (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Held up in touch on inside, lost place after 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Princess Tara (10-7) at Ffos Las 2m 6f mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Minella Hero (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 9, dist behind Maggie Blue (10-0) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Lyric Street (IRE) 7-2fav (10-12) Chased winner, awkward 1st, ridden after 9th, no impression 4 out, weakened next, last of 4, dist behind Arzal (11-8) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Nautical Twilight 11-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway before 5 out to chase leaders, led 2 out, headed last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Love The Leader (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Rear Admiral (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Have You Had Yours (11-4) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Total Assets 33-1 (11-8) Towards rear when unseated rider 6th, at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Friendly Royal (IRE) 4-1fav (11-7) Made all, pressed from 2 out, joined at last, soon left clear, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct beating Present Flight (11-12) by 12l, 11 ran.
