took keen hold, settled in rear, steady headway into 3rd after 3 out, no impression next, weakened into 4th run-in
took keen hold tracking leaders, led briefly 3 out, led again approaching next, in command between last two, stumbled last, kept on
took keen hold tracking leaders, led and hit 2nd, headed approaching 4th, 3 out, chased leader until hit 3 out, chased leading pair until well before next where not fluent, rallied into modest 3rd again run-in
tracked leader, led approaching 4th until pushed along approaching 2 out, out, ridden and no impression on winner between last two, kept on run-in
led until 2nd, chased leader until approaching 4th, chased leaders, weakened soon after, tailed off
PRESENTING ARMS was well backed on his reappearance at Kempton 10 days ago and didn't disappoint. He's now won three of his last four and, having escaped a penalty, can continue on an upward curve by landing this. Leviathan could be the one for forecast-backers as he has conditions in his favour and didn't run badly at Ascot last month when returning from a break. All of Gabrial The Great's wins over hurdles have come on good ground and he's been off for more than 12 months while Ryeolliean has only won a maiden hurdle so far and has shown little recently. Filatore may be a bit out of his depth.
Gabrial The Great (IRE) 7-2fav (11-8) Led, headed after 4 out, held in 4th when fell 3 out, at Wetherby 2m (3) gd in Nov.
Presenting Arms (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) Close up, led from 2nd, kept on well from 2 out, won at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Paddys Runner (10-10) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Leviathan 16-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, tracked leader until after 4th, chased leaders, went modest 3rd at the last, 3rd of 11, 9 1/2l behind Winner Massagot (10-4) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Ryeolliean 5-1fav (11-5) Chased leading pair until 5th, chased leaders, ridden and weakenening when pulled up approaching 2 out, at Sandown 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Filatore (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Led and disputed until mistake 5th, weakened soon after 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Clondaw Banker (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.