soon chased leaders, effort to challenge on outside after 4 out, not fluent next, soon ridden and outpaced, weakened before last
with leaders, led 4th, headed 3 out, ridden and lost place between last 2, weakened last
with leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed before last, soon no impression with front pair, lost 3rd closing stages
led narrowly to 4th, remained prominent, outpaced in 5th after 4 out, rallied after 2 out, went 2nd before last, kept on same pace, no impression with winner flat
tracked leaders from 4th, poised to challenge in 3rd 3 out, went 2nd after next, led before last, soon clear, stayed on well, comfortably
tracked leaders, fell 3rd
behind, jumped slowly and reminder after 2nd, pushed along from 11th, headway under pressure after 2 out, stayed on to take 3rd closing stages, never pace to trouble leaders
Nonrunner
This looks wide-open but Spring Over must have a chance of reversing recent course and distance running with The Bishop on 3lb better terms. All three of Flaming Thistle's victories have come around here but he's never won back-to-back races. Feast Of Fire needs good ground while stablemate Urban Gale still looks a few pounds too high and Nalim is still 6lb higher than for his only career success at Towcester a year ago. GIBBSTOWN has won around here off much stiffer marks and it may be too soon to give up on the Irish mare, who has been toiling on heavy going of late.
Feast Of Fire (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, reminders approaching 11th, went 2nd after 12th, mistake and lost place next, rallied before 2 out, kept on well to go 2nd closing stages, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Notonebuttwo (10-7) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Urban Gale (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) With leader, mistake 3rd, pushed along before 5 out, ridden and weakened before last, 4th of 6, 8l behind Foot The Bill (10-12) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
The Bishop (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) With leaders, led 2 out, ridden run-in, driven out, won at Hexham 3m hcp (4) hvy in Mar beating Spring Over (10-9) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Flaming Thistle (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Made all, clear until before 5 out, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Mar beating Suprise Vendor (11-12) by 11l, 6 ran.
Gibbstown (IRE) 15-2 (10-8) Held up in rear, headway 9th, 3rd before 5 out, weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 8, dist behind Millicent Silver (11-11) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Spring Over (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Led, headed before 9th, remained close up, every chance last, kept on, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind The Bishop (11-0) at Hexham 3m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Nalim (IRE) 5-1 (10-1) In rear, jumped slowly and behind 6th, plugged on to take remote 4th close home, 4th of 8, dist behind Millicent Silver (11-11) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Castley Lane 40-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, lost place halfway, soon in rear, tailed off and pulled up, at Wetherby 3m hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
