BISHOPS HEIR is well thought-of by the yard and he can carry his penalty to victory; Eyre Square joins Glingermill and King Penda on the list of dangers. Progressive young trainer James Ewart thinks a lot of the selection and he went on record before his hurdling debut as saying he is the best of his novices and could be the top one in the North this year. He handles testing ground and he also jumped well out of it when winning at Kelso, a trait that suggests his jumping should hold up in better races. If he fails to carry his penalty to victory, the horse to profit may be Eyre Square. Keith Reveley's gelding made a bright reappearance after a spell on the sidelines when filling third spot behind Quantititveeasing at the track. That form looks solid and any further improvement would see him go close. Glingermill was well-fancied on debut at Carlisle but he was well-held in third; he looks a strong-stayer who may need further but connections waste no time in sending him over hurdles. King Penda is related to several winners, both on the flat and at a lowly level over the jumps. He needs respect coming from a top yard but is likely to need more time. Colour Clash and Saddlers Deal look like two interesting recruits to hurdling; the former is a flat-bred who has plenty of class in his bloodlines, whilst the latter cost ¿30,000 at the Cheltenham sales a year ago and is related to hurdling winners, albeit over further. Top It All shaped with promise behind the selection last time, and is one of several Ray Anderson Green horses in the race, whilst Archdale Lady needs a market check on her hurdling bow. A race that has been won by some decent horses in the past and that trend can continue with Bishops Heir.
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.
Arctic Court (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, from late headway final furlong, 4th of 10, 6l behind Quite The Man (10-11) at Kelso 2m NH flat (5) gd in Apr.
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.
Carters Rest 9-2 (10-11) Held up, pushed along 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 10, 17l behind Turbo Island (10-9) at Ayr 2m hdl (3) sft.
Colour Clash 14-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 5 out, driven and no extra final 2f, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Roses (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
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.
Glingermill (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up in rear, headway over 5f out, challenged 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Last Of The Bunch (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) gf in Oct.
King Penda (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Held up in rear, raced keenly, headway on inside over 4f out, not clear run and bumped over 2f out, went 3rd, no chance with front pair over 1f out, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Seasonselite (10-6) at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) sft in Jun.
Mister Grady 200-1 (11-0) Soon behind, never dangerous, 11th of 16, well behind Quantitativeeasing (11-0) at Newcastle 2m NH Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) (5) gs in Nov.
Paddington Bob (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened 4 out, 7th of 12, 45l behind Alasi (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Saddlers Deal (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Held up, in touch over 3f out, soon outpaced, 6th of 11, 42l behind Benny Be Good (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Nov.
Shadow Boxer 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, 6th of 12, well behind Always Bold (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Top It All 20-1 (10-12) Held up, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 12, 10l behind Bishops Heir (10-7) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Transact (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened 4th, pulled up before last, in a race won by Cunning Clarets (10-12) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy, 10 ran.
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.
Miss Abbey Missed Flight mare out of Little Brockwell.
