The 'babies' in the first may have found the closing stages tough work at Downpatrick but there wasn't a bit of that for Gigginstown House Stud's Arnaud (4/5) who made things look very simple in the Customer Care Christmas Hurdle.

Davy Russell (runner-up in the opener on Royal Captain bounced Arnaud out in front and the five-year-old enjoyed his jumping, across the easyfix hurdles, reverting back from the chasing game.

He had his main rival according to the betting, Seskinane on the stretch from three out. Arnaud had his race won from the next and it was just a case of safely negotiating the last, which Charles Byrnes' charge achieved slickly before cruising up the run to slam his aforementioned opponent by six and a half lengths.

"If they were all like that the job would be easy. The track, ground and conditions of the race suited him.

"He had eleven pounds in hand.

"I'm sure he'll finish up at Cheltenham in some race and he'll maybe go to England in early January too for better ground – for a handy novice race," reported Byrnes.

Meanwhile Russell remarked: "All credit to Charles to find that race for him. He's an excellent jumper and has been from day one." (MG & EM)