Welshman Stephen Dodd, Swede Mattias Eliasson Peter O'Malley from Australian and Irishman Colm Moriarty were one behind the leaders.

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Howell finished runner-up last year after a sudden-death play-off with Stephen Dodd, who will also be back to defend his title.

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He ended in a 10-way tie on five under par, alongside Welshmen Stephen Dodd and English duo John Bickerton and Richard McEvoy.

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This year Dredge, who partnered countryman Stephen Dodd to World Cup success in 2005, has accumulated 154, 612 and lies 84th in the European tour rankings while Davies lies sixth in his debut year with 1, 009, 118 in the bank from his efforts.

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