behind, headway before 6 out, led before 3 out, headed last, kept on and held towards finish
mid-division, went 3rd before 3 out, kept on same pace
towards rear, pushed along before 13th, tailed off
led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
mid-division, fell heavily 7 out
tracked leaders, weakened from 7 out, pulled up before 14th
tracked leader, ridden to lead last, held on well towards finish
mid-division, headway before 6 out, weakened from next, pulled up before 14th
The Bishop was just beaten off a 4lb higher mark over hurdles here last time having won earlier at Ayr. But, along with old rival Gibbstown, he was behind SMUGGLER’S STASH (NAP) here in December and that pair are only a pound better off with Rose Dobbin’s stayer so shouldn’t turn the tables. Cleve Cottage won his first chase at Southwell last month but will need more here off a 7lb higher mark and a bigger danger may be Hattons Hill, who stayed on strongly to catch Kanturk Bank here just over two weeks ago.
Gibbstown (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Behind, headway 9th, chased winner before 4 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 9, 1l behind General Girling (11-1) at Towcester 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Smuggler's Stash (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, plugged on same pace, 3rd of 9, 14 3/4l behind Hattons Hill (10-0) at Hexham 3m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
The Bishop (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-8) Raced wide, tracked leader, led 2 out, ridden and edged left flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Bescot Springs (12-0) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Cleve Cottage 4-1 (10-1) Made all, clear after 4th until 13th, clear again before 3 out, went right 3 out, ridden and reduced lead when went right again last, driven out, won at Southwell 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Feb beating The Jugopolist (10-13) by 3l, 7 ran.
Spring Over (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Close up, ridden 3 out, weakened next, pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Vincent Row (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Mistake 1st, soon behind, pulled up before 6th, at Hexham 3m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Hattons Hill (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Close up, tracked leader when blundered badly 4 out, rallied to chase clear leader 2 out, reduced lead approaching next, driven and stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Hexham 3m hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Kanturk Bank (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Notonebuttwo (IRE) 28-1 (10-0) Tracked winner until 2nd, chased leading pair until before 7th and dropped to last, soon lost touch, tailed off, 4th of 5, 35l behind Another Mattie (11-5) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
