tracked leaders, mistakes and not fluent throughout, driven 3 out, weakened next, eased last, modest 4th
in touch, headway 2 out, led on bit after last, soon clear, impressive
prominent, under pressure 3 out, weakened next, modest 3rd
led, presed from 2 out, headed after last, not pace of winner
Meganisi beat Aaim To Prosper in a much quicker time at Newbury than PUFFIN BILLY had achieved in a maiden hurdle 24 hours earlier. He looks a decent novice but Oliver Sherwood also holds the latter in high regard and, with plenty of scope for further improvement, the four-year-old can come out on top today. Up To Something has won two bumpers and a maiden hurdle over similar trips and two recent defeats have come over further. He should make his presence felt but Stratford winner Bathcounty would need to improve again to figure.
Meganisi (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Disputed lead until led and not fluent 3 out, soon strongly challenged, mistake next, hard ridden last, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov beating Aaim To Prosper (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Puffin Billy (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Took keen hold, soon prominent, led approaching 3 out, not fluent last, ran on well to draw clear final 150 yards, won at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) sft in Nov beating Lydstep Point (11-0) by 5l, 13 ran.
Bathcounty (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Made all, driven clear after 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct beating Sirius Chesnut (11-0) by 27l, 8 ran.
Up To Something (FR) 9-4 (11-2) Led and keen, headed 2 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Abruzzi (10-6) at Towcester 2m 3f 4yo nov stks (4) sft.
