led until 1st, mostly chased winner after until 4 out, outpaced next, weakened final 150 yards
made virtually all, ridden approaching last, stayed on well
tracked leaders, occasionally went 2nd, dropped to last before 14th and outpaced, closed 3 out, hit next, soon beaten, weakened final 150 yards
held up in close 4th, mistake 9th, not fluent next, mistake 11th, chased winner 4 out, about 4 lengths down when jockey nearly took wrong course flat, no impression, stayed on
Pena Dorada picked off the front-running Signalman over 2m1f at Hexham last month but is unproven over this trip while hunter chaser Inverlochy Lad could only finish third over 2m5f at Carlisle last time and might prefer softer ground. BISHOPS HEIR is progressing nicely and was just touched off by Scottish National winner Merigo at Ayr last time, possibly hitting the front too soon. Back against novices, James Ewart's charge can resume winning ways.
Bishops Heir 3-1fav (11-3) Held up in touch, headway before 5 out, led after 4 out, headed 3 out, led again last, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Merigo (11-12) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Mar.
Inverlochy Lad (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Tracked leading pair, mistake 12th, went 2nd next, 6 lengths down and ridden approaching last, no chance with winner flat, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Frank The Slink (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Mar.
Pena Dorada (IRE) 11-10fav (11-0) Tracked leader, driven to challenge after 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish (1 fence omitted), won at Hexham 2m beg chase (5) gd in Mar beating Signalman (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Bob 'n' You (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Held up behind on outside, headway and in touch 17th, mistake 20th, soon lost place, behind when ridden before 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Teaforthree (11-6) at Cheltenham 4m am nov chs (2) gd in Mar, 19 ran.
Blazing Bull (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked winner until 7th, pecked badly 10th, pulled up, in a race won by Sole Witness (10-7) at Ayr 3m 1f beg chase (4) hvy in Mar, 4 ran.
