Bishops best in Grand National Trial Kerry Lee gained another big Saturday success as the ex-Irish Bishops Road won the feature Betfred Grand National Trial at Haydock. Lee has enjoyed a stellar first season as a licenced trainer and sent out Top Gamble to win the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury last weekend. This three and a half mile contest was a different kettle of fish altogether and only four of the eight runners that went to post were still in contention approaching the final turn with Gas Line Boy and Rigadin De Beauchene having cried enough going down the back straight. Cloudy Too soon sent out the distress signals but Richard Johnson, who had already won the Grade Two Rendlesham Hurdle aboard Reve De Sivola, seemed relatively happy at the head of affairs. In his slipstream was favourite Broadway Buffalo who had fallen when also sent off as favourite for last year's renewal. Katie Walsh's mount was a little untidy at the second last but jumped the last alongside the quarters of Bishops Road and looked set to mount a serious challenge. The leader, who was having just his second start for the Herefordshire handler, pulled out more though and ran on strongly to win by nine lengths and reward backers at 13/2. Broadway Buffalo was a clear second, some 22 lengths ahead of Cloudy Too.
