tracked leader, led 3 out, under pressure from next, ridden, hung right and hard pressed final furlong, just held on
prominent, ridden approaching last, one pace
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened from last
held up behind, pushed along after 4 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, pushed along and weakened from 5th
tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out
led, quickened pace approaching 4th, reminders soon after, headed 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 3 out, challenged 2 out, every chance last, disputed lead when carried right flat, just held post
held up in rear, headway 5th on outer to chase leaders, one pace from last
held up behind, never dangerous
in touch, soon settled mid-division, ridden and weakened after 4 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, some headway approaching last, never dangerous
A decent contest to commence the day and one where BISHOPS HEIR is fancied to defy a penalty and beat newcomer Checklow and also Hollins. The James Ewart stable is going well and Bishops Heir has been placed well to win two of his four starts so far, including a similar contest over course and distance in November. Heavy ground certainly suits, and while he does have to shoulder extra weight courtesy of that win, he looks progressive and is taken to do so. Checklow is a nice recruit to the jumping ranks, having been rated in the 90s at his best on the Flat for Jeremy Noseda. If he can transfer that speed to hurdling then he will be a big threat, though first time out and on ground that is far from certain to suit he is taken on. Hollins is another penalised participant, having scored in decisive fashion over track and trip in December. He acts on soft, though is unraced on heavy, and there is every reason to believe that he will get involved. Ibrox would be interesting if supported after a quiet debut over timber last month, while the same goes for Wind Shuffle, who won a heavy ground Ayr handicap on the level from a mark of 75. Knock Three Times needs to brush up on his jumping to get involved after a break, and Bishops Heir is preferred.
Bishops Heir 7-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, led 2 out, driven out, won at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Carters Rest (10-12) by 1l, 12 ran.
Hollins 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, left in lead 3 out, stayed on well, driven out, won at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Hey Charlie (10-11) by 10l, 14 ran.
Arc Warrior (FR) 80-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Quantitativeeasing (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4-6yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Baileys Surprise (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up, effort over 6f out, kept on final 3f, 4th of 19, 17l behind Crackerjack Lad (11-4) at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) gs in Feb '08.
Checklow (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, 11th of 12, 24l behind Cill Rialaig (8-7) at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gs in Oct (flat).
Circus Clown (IRE) 22-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, ridden over 4f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 11l behind Arty Crafty (8-11) at Hamilton 1m 3f app hcp (6) gd in Sep (flat).
Hard To Name 100-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, some headway when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, well behind Wymott (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Ibrox (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, lost place after 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next, 6th of 10, 28l behind Premier Sagas (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Pegasus Prince (USA) 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 13, 22l behind Farleigh House (10-7) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Wind Shuffle (GER) 28-1 (11-0) Held up and keen, pushed along and lost place approaching 3 out, 8th of 10, 36l behind Turbo Island (10-9) at Ayr 2m hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Beverley Beck 14-1 (10-6) Mid-division, 5th and beaten when hit last, 4th of 11, 26l behind Doeslessthanme (11-13) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Knock Three Times (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, weakened before next, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Kind Heart (10-7) at Aintree 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
Lady Rusty (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Behind, struggling 5th, never dangerous, last of 7, well behind Carlito Brigante (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gs.
Charlie Bucket 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division, outpaced 4f out, never on terms, 7th of 13, 43l behind Bridlingtonbygones (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gs in Nov.
Dollar Mick (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Always towards rear and beaten from 4 out, 7th of 8, well behind Catch Bob (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Catch A Cloud 14-1 (10-12) Held up, in touch approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, well behind Bocamix (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.
