THE valuable Jumeirah Hotels And Resorts December Handicap Hurdle saw the in-form Ben Pauling’s A Hare Breath come right back to his best when holding outsider Caid Du Lin by half a length with the very well-backed, J.P. McManus-owned Crossed My Mind (100/30F) third.

Daryl Jacob is at the top of his game and on another highly successful afternoon he was seen to best effect on Pauling’s gelding. Unison took them along but gave best to Caid Du Lin well before two out and though the 20/1 shot kept on willingly for 7lb claimer Charlie Hammond he was eventually mastered by Jacob on the 8/1 winner in the final 100 yards.

A Hare Breath lost his way after a bright start last term and was reappearing after an absence of eight months. That is seldom a problem with horses trained by Pauling and he was spot on again here. Pauling alluded after the race that A Hare Breath is best kept fresh and could head straight to the Cheltenham Festival.

Crossed My Mind, a rare Esher runner for Arthur Moore, stood out in the morning papers as an unexposed, lightly-raced handicapper. He was moving very well as they turned for home but found less for Barry Geraghty than expected and may need even softer ground. There is a good race in him.

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Colin Tizzard and Robbie Power did not go home empty-handed because the Flemensfirth gelding Ainchea, bred by Tony Mullins, proved a length too good for Nicky Henderson’s Whatswrongwithyou in the opening IPA Purchasing Novices’ Hurdle. Like Fox Norton and Finian’s Oscar, Ainchea (11/4) carries the colours of the late Ann and Alan Potts.

He was stepping up on a bumper second at Cheltenham and looks a more than useful recruit.

The Pertemps Network Qualifier went to Phil Middleton’s 5/1 chance Holly Bush Henry, who obliged under 7lb claimer Daniel Sansom. The youngster held Harry Cobden on the Paul Nicholls-trained Connetable by a neck.

Alan King remains in good form and took the mares’ handicap hurdle with Awesome Rosie, while there is simply no stopping Nigel Twiston-Davies, whose 14/1 veteran Benbens landed the marathon London National Handicap Chase in the hands of talented amateur Mr Zac Baker.