held up mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching next, weakened 2 out
held up in touch, behind from 6th, tailed off
led, quickened approaching 3 out, hard ridden and hung left when hit last, caught near finish
always behind, blundered 3rd, tailed off from 5th, pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and went 2nd next, hard ridden and all out to lead near finish
held up in mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from next
in touch, went 2nd 4 out, soon ridden, one pace from 2 out
held up mid-division, hit 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off from 3 out
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, headway approaching next, kept on same pace
with leader until quickly lost place 4 out, pulled up before next
The Paul Nicholls-trained Albuhera disappointed at Cheltenham last time in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and is probably best passed over here in preference for Bold Bishop, who gets the verdict over Fleet Street. The last mentioned is trained by Nicky Henderson and put up a career best effort when third behind Brave Inca in the opener at the Festival meeting. That race may have left its mark on the son of Wolfhound though and we would rather side with Bold Bishop. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding has progressed well since beaten by Bourbon Manhattan on his hurdling debut over course and distance in November and comes here on the back of a fine second to Scorned in the Imperial Cup. The form of that race has worked out well and Bold Bishop is taken to go one better today. Martin Pipe's Contraband disappointed in the Coral Cup last time but may do better on this flatter track, while the undefeated Royal Shakespeare remains open to improvement but takes a step up in class. The Nicky Richards-trained Steppes Of Gold has done little wrong so far and is interesting having missed the Festival, along with Henry Daly's Green Tango who is going the right way. However, Bold Bishop lost no caste in defeat in the Imperial Cup last time and can go one better today.
