took keen hold, led after 1st, hit 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened
held up, switched left to inside bend after 4 out, headway next, challenged 2 out, soon led, cleared before last, driven out
chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, led and not fluent 2 out, soon headed, lost 2nd between last 2, weakened before last
chased leaders, challenged and every chance 2 out, chased winner after, one pace and held before last
held up in rear, ridden and hit 3 out, soon driven and beaten
always in rear, hampered on inside bend after 4 out, hit 3 out and struggling after
held up in rear, ridden and struggling 3 out
led 2 after 1st, chased leader until weakened after 3 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, outpaced and edged left after 2 out, stayed on and went moderate 3rd early run-in
DAVE'S DREAM will be rightly fancied to complete his hat-trick but he may not have everything his own way with Abbevillian and China Gold a couple of interesting opponents. Seven Barrows seems to be producing an endless supply of top class hurdlers and Dave's Dream was given Festival quotes following an impressive success on his hurdling bow at Folkestone. He has a penalty, has been off the track for almost a year and will find this company more demanding but may prove up to the task. Abbevillian has shown up well in bumpers and has to be feared with the McCoy/Egerton partnership a respected one but he may need a stiffer test in order to come into his own. Cursum Perficio was average on the level but comfortably accounted for a decent yardstick at Huntingdon and isn't entirely dismissed but of more interest is China Gold. Alan King's charge made a satisfactory start to hurdling at this track in a decent race and wouldn't need to improve too much on that to make his presence felt. This race should throw up plenty of winners but Dave's Dream may be the one to take top honours today.
Cursum Perficio 40-1 (10-9) Behind, smooth headway approaching 3 out, left in lead 2 out, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug '07 beating Mexican Bob (10-13) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Dave's Dream (IRE) 5-6fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead after 2 out, ran on, won at Folkestone 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan beating Bremen (11-4) by 4l, 15 ran.
Abbevillian (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 18, 6l behind Henry King (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (5) gs in Nov.
China Gold 7-1 (11-0) Front rank, effort and every chance 2f out, no extra, 5th of 16, 15l behind Copper Bleu (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Danetime Panther (IRE) 4-1 (9-9) Close up, led over 3f out, ridden and headed inside final 2f, gradually weakened, 7th of 14, 11l behind Ryedale Ovation (8-9) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct (Flat).
Gremlin 40-1 (10-11) Not jump well, always towards rear, struggling 3 out, hit next, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Cockney Trucker (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Kingsdale Orion (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Raced keenly, tracked leader, effort and every chance 3 out, pecked at last, rallied flat, just failed, 2nd of 12, hd behind Fortunate Isle (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Princeful (FR) 25-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 18, 37l behind American Trilogy (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) sft in Oct.
Quaspia (FR) (10-4) unseated rider in race won by Quello Malta (10-10) at Auteuil 2m 2f hdl sft in Oct, 12 ran.
Tigger 200-1 (10-5) Towards rear, mistake 1st, lost touch 7th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Bensalem (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
