REVE De Sivola, often the bridesmaid when Big Buck’s was in his pomp, is still perfectly capable of winning Grade 2 staying hurdles.

At Haydock last Saturday he made all the running for Richard Johnson and held 5/2 favourite One Track Mind by three-parts of a length in the Betfred Hurdle, the former Rendlesham.

The 11-year-old had tried fences here last time but this is his game and he responded to Johnson’s urgings as they turned for home. Sent off at 7/2, he established a lead which served him well as the runner-up closed the gap on the run-in.

The winner was paying another compliment to World Hurdle favourite Thistlecrack, who beat him eight lengths at Ascot in December. Nick Williams is likely to avoid Cheltenham, while One Track Mind definitely misses the festival in favour of Punchestown, according to trainer Warren Greatrex. Sadly, Oliver Sherwoods’ good stayer Deputy Dan, dropped dead of a heart attack after the race.

BISHOP’S AGAIN FOR LEE

Kerry Lee can do no wrong since taking over the Herefordshire yard from her father Richard and stamina again called the shots as Bishop’s Road claimed the Grade 3 Betfred Grand National Trial over three and a half miles plus.

This followed victories for Mountainous in the Welsh National and Russe Blanc in the Warwick Classic. The former was pulled up this time, like five of the other eight runners, but it mattered little as Bishop’s Road, raised a stone for his impressive Sandown success over a mile shorter, led four from home for Richard Johnson and pulled nine lengths clear of Katie Walsh’s mount Broadway Buffalo. Cloudy Too was the other one to finish.

Lee and winning owner Alan Halsall kept tabs on Bishop’s Road in his Henry de Bromhead days and were particularly impressed when he won at Leopardstown just over a year ago.

“He’s by Heron Island, sire of Black Hercules, so we were hopeful he’d stay all right. We bought him with the National in mind,” Lee said.

Whether that will be this year or next remains to be seen because Bishop’s Road is only eight and Ms Lee was quite guarded when discussing stable plans at the weights lunch last week.

However, she certainly holds a strong hand and had further cause for celebration when 4/5 favourite Kylemore Lough and Jamie Moore took the novices’ limited handicap chase. He probably misses Cheltenham and Aintree with Fairyhouse and Punchestown preferred.

Haydock holds plenty of water and the heavy ground undoubtedly suited Rose Dobbin’s 8/1 shot Jonniesofa, who was always well to the fore in the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and kept on gamely to hold Vintage Clouds by three lengths.

Trainer Rose Dobbin has a very interesting type on her hands. Jonniesofa won two point-to-points in Ireland before coming over and has won three of his six hurdle races.

Last week’s trip was just short of three miles but that trip does not worry him and he deserves to take his chance in the Albert Bartlett ‘proper’, though soft ground is probably essential.

“He’s as tough as they come and I suppose we’ll have to give it a go,” the Northumbria trainer smiled. “Let’s hope it rains until then!”

Nicky Henderson’s Fixe Le Kap was made a 4/1 on shot in the four-runner opener but Paul Nicholls’ Frodon beat him narrowly but decisively. It looks smart form and the winner probably heads for the Triumph but there is every chance the race will be run on sharply contrasting ground.