TARA ROYAL sets the standard here and can put his experience to good use over Born Again and Eyre Square. Donald McCain's point-to-point winner was supported ahead of his debut under rules in a Chepstow bumper before disappointing; however the switch to timber that followed produced a much improved display from this gelding when he took a close-up third at Ayr. Conditions that day were similar to those faced here and with further improvement entirely possible this four-year-old will be tough to beat and gets our vote. Born Again is an interesting newcomer to hurdles having showed distinct promise in a decent bumper last time. That effort suggested better was to come and this son of Presenting will be suited by conditions and should enjoy the challenge presented by hurdles, so it will be interesting to see how he shapes in the market for powerful connections. Eyre Square shaped encouragingly when third after a lengthy absence last time and if able to run to a similar level of form he'd have place claims here. That effort behind a very promising type suggested a race should come the way of Keith Reveley's gelding who has been given a month to recover from those exertions, although his form still needs improving upon if he's to score today. Paddy Daly could go well at a big price on his hurdling debut, having travelled supremely well to a point in a bumper back in October. That was the gelding's first try on the racecourse and improvement can be expected, whilst the best is surely yet to come from Mister Stickler who hasn't cut much ice in bumpers so far. Of the others to have contested similar contests already both Basford Lass and Qaspar need to find improvement and look opposable whilst Jonjo's other two runners Munster Pride and Bobble Hat Bob need a market check but in a poor contest our selection is Tara Royal.
Another Dark Rum 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, lead, headed 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 14, 28l behind Lightening Rod (10-9) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Best Yarn 40-1 (10-8) Held up, weakened over 4f out, 14th of 18, well behind Lidar (10-8) at Doncaster 2m NH flat (2) gf in Feb.
Bobble Hat Bob (FR) 12-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 16, 47l behind The Treacle Eater (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Born Again (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 5f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Thunderstorm (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gs.
Eyre Square (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) In touch, lost place after 4 out, rallied between last 2, kept on no impression, 3rd of 16, 11l behind Quantitativeeasing (11-0) at Newcastle 2m NH Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) (5) gs in Nov.
Firedog (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 7th of 17, 19l behind Somersby (10-12) at Kempton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Nov '08.
Gunpoint (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Chased leader until lost place approaching, 11th of 14, well behind Bobby Ewing (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Mister Stickler (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Towards rear, ridden over 4f out, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, soon one pace, 4th of 15, 18l behind Barafundle (11-4) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Munster Pride (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up, moderate 8th after 3 out, stayed on well from before last to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Farringdon (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Feb '08.
Paddy Daly (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, chased leaders over 4f out, one pace over 1f out, 4th of 15, 4l behind Birch Hill Bedouin (11-1) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Qaspal (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Held up, took keen hold, never near leaders, 6th of 15, 24l behind Dr Livingstone (10-12) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf.
Quipe Me Posted (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Behind, under pressure before 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, 48l behind Candy Creek (10-5) at Kempton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Nov.
Tara Royal 9-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, hit 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, blundered and headed last, weakened flat, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Turbo Island (10-9) at Ayr 2m hdl (3) sft.
Archdale Lady (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, chased leaders over 4f out, one pace final 3f, 5th of 12, 11l behind Banjaxed Girl (10-12) at Wetherby 2m N H flat (5) sft in Nov.
Basford Lass 14-1 (10-5) With leader, led 2nd, headed before 6th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon lost place, no impression when left poor 4th last, 4th of 12, 25l behind Milans Man (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft.
Redhotdoc 50-1 (9-13) Mid-division on inside, lost place halfway, no danger after, 11th of 17, 28l behind Solway Sam (11-2) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (4) gd in Oct.
