led, ridden after 2 out, under pressure when hit last, headed narrowly flat, kept on and held towards finish
tracked leaders, chased leader approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last, narrow lead flat, soon hard ridden, stayed on well towards finish
tracked leader until approaching 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, went a distant 3rd from 2 out, never dangerous
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, pushed along approach next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out
held up in touch, ridden 7th, in 4th and weakenening when hit 3 out
held up, mistake 1st, pushed along 7th, tailed off from 3 out
DAIS RETURN is the form pick to land the opener at the expense of Presque Perdre and Snake Hips. The selection comes into the race off back-to-back wins at Sedgefield and Newton Abbot. He does have a double penalty to overcome which will make life tough but he looks an improving sort and Peter Bowen has his team of horses in good form at present. Presque Perdre will pose the biggest danger. He broke his maiden tag at Sedgefield in March and won again at Kelso with a penalty. He was not discredited when finishing fourth of 13 when sent back on the level at Newcastle last time out and warrants plenty of respect. Snake Hips is still a maiden after 25 attempts and was only average on the flat for Bryn Palling, but has shown form in a number of hurdle races to date without getting his head in front. He looks more than capable of being in the frame. However, Dais Return looks a class above his rivals and is given the vote to win again.
Dais Return (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Jumped slightly left, made all, stayed on strongly from 2 out, comfortably, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf beating Bolton Hall (10-12) by 6l, 12 ran.
Presque Perdre 1-3fav (11-4) Made all, unchallenged, won at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Apr beating Crackerjack Lad (10-12) by 4l, 6 ran.
Cinaman (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Raced keenly in rear, struggling 3 out, 12th of 13, 39l behind All Roads Lead (11-9) at Southwell 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Corporation (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Alw pr, cl 3rd 3out, eff to ld last, ro best, won at Loughbrickland 3m ire ptp in Mar beating Tinacurra Lad (12-0) by 3l, 14 ran.
Masra 33-1 (10-13) Towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 13, 35l behind Barton Grey (10-13) at Hexham 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Peter Sent 4-1 (12-0) Eff 13; led 16; stayed on, won at Thorpe Lodge 3m ptp in Jan beating Woodmaster (12-0) by 3l, 10 ran.
Snake Hips 9-1 (11-9) In touch, went 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace last, 4th of 10, 8l behind Pseudonym (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 5f 4yo Am hcp hdl (4) gf.
Wait For The Light 9-1 (10-8) Always behind, tailed off 3 out, 11th of 16, well behind Cool Operator (11-2) at Catterick 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Mar '08.
