made all, hit 4th, clear 2 out, easily
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, edged left before last, stayed on same pace, went 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
held up in rear, 7th when not fluent 3 out, jumped left next, never on terms
hampered 3rd, always in rear
prominent, not fluent 1st, lost place 5th, soon weakened
held up, mistake 3 out, always towards rear
held up rear of mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, 6th when not fluent 2 out, no impression
held up towards rear, mistake 3 out, never on terms
took keen hold, held up in touch, 4th and beaten when mistake 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, lost place and pulled up after 2nd
held up in rear, jumped right 3rd, behind next
took keen hold, held up in rear, 8th when jumped left 3 out, no impression
in touch, ridden 3 out, went 4th last, no impression on leaders
held up, always towards rear
mid-division, behind 6th, pulled up before 3 out
chased winner, ridden 3 out, no impression next, lost 2nd near finish
held up towards rear, behind 4th
Favourites have a remarkable record in this race and that can be enhanced by DARE ME. Philip Hobbs has started the season with real intent and his horse made an impressive hurdling debut over course-and-distance, having previously developed into a high-class bumper horse. This will be the softest ground he's encountered and that's the concern, although he should have the required stamina to cope and can give the weight away. Arrayan and Eddie Boy look set to do better once sent handicapping although along with Sorcillera, who makes her debut on these shores, they need a check in the market. However, the biggest threat to Dare Me may come from Silver Roque who is beautifully bred and almost certain to improve for this ground and leave behind a modest debut.
Dare Me (IRE) 4-9fav (10-12) With leader, soon tracked leader, led 4th, clear after 2 out, readily, won at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Kasbadali (10-12) by 12l, 10 ran.
Alla Svelta (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Prom til rn out aft 3 out, in a race won by Kingsmere (11-7) at Garthorpe 2m 4f ptp gd in May, 7 ran.
Arrayan 20-1 (10-7) Towards rear, slightly hampered 6th, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 14, well behind Quartz De Thaix (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan '09.
Chase Gate 66-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened from 4th, 9th of 13, well behind Dunraven Storm (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Cridda Boy 100-1 (9-3) Dwelt, behind, struggling from halfway, last of 17, 36l behind Shangani (8-5) at Salisbury 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Jun '09 (flat).
Eddie Boy 20-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 47l behind King Of The Night (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Haydens Mount 40-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 11, 27l behind Twirling Magnet (11-10) at Worcester 2m mdn nat hunt flat (6) gd in Oct.
Ladies Dancing 20-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 12l behind Brave Bugsy (9-3) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) fm in May (flat).
Sarah's Boy 33-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, hit 2nd, reminders approaching 7th, soon weakened, tailed of when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Garton King (11-4) at Exeter 2m 7f am nov hdl (4) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Silver Roque (FR) 11-2 (10-8) Held up in touch, hit 5th, chased leaders 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 23l behind Clerk's Choice (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Tiger Breeze (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, some headway over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 11, 13l behind Learo Dochais (9-3) at Lingfield 7f mdn auc stks (6) gd in Jul '09 (flat).
Trouble Digger Double Trigger gelding out of Inesdela.
Baraquet 50-1 (10-0) Took keen hold, held up, headway to 4th 3 out, soon one pace, left modest 3rd last, 3rd of 8, 29l behind Kateal (10-7) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Forty Knights 66-1 (10-6) In touch, lost place 4th, soon tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Princess Rainbow (10-6) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Gallimaufry 100-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear and keen, weakened from 4th, 12th of 13, well behind Dunraven Storm (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Midnight Paradise 40-1 (9-13) Always rear-division, racing on outside when green, swerved badly right and almost unseated rider entering straight, 12th of 14, 31l behind King Of The Night (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f cond & am NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Sorcillera (8-8) 5th of 20, 2 1/4l behind Astur Green (9-4) at Maisons-laffitte(FR) 1m 1f clm sft in Oct '09 (flat).
Tooney Malooney 33-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and outpaced 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 27l behind With Grace (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f N H flat (5) gd in May.
