held up towards rear, headway halfway to track leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon no extra
held up towards rear, headway 3 out to track leaders, led approaching last, cheekily
pulled hard in rear, headway halfway to track leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
towards rear, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed 5th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, pushed along and some headway 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
in touch, ridden 3 out, soon outpaced
tracked leader, led 5th, headed approaching 2 out, one pace under pressure
mid-division, outpaced after 3 out
tracked leaders, challenged 5th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, mistake and drop rear 3rd, behind from halfway
mid-division, headway 5th, effort approaching 2 out, one pace
in touch, mistake 3rd, headway to lead approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on
The finale on the card is a tricky race for punters, but Bold Bishop gets the vote with Beechwood and One Five Eight the best of the rest. Bold Bishop made a pleasing start to his hurdling career when a good second behind Bourbon Manhattan at Aintree last month. The winner that day looked a useful prospect, and Bold Bishop stayed on promisingly in behind and is sure to benefit from that run. With nominal improvement, he looks the one to beat. Beechwood looks the principle danger but he pulled too hard when a beaten favourite at Towcester back in October. If he settles better in this race then he will be a danger to all at the finish. One Five Eight is another with obvious claims as he is a course and distance winner who showed a good level of form over fences, but he was a disappointment last month on his hurdling debut at Hexham and is opposed for that reason. Of the rest, Thread of Honour is from a leading yard and is worthy of plenty of respect, but we are happy to side with Bold Bishop.
