keen, clear with one other at 11th, headed 13th, led again next, ridden and headed 2 out, tiring badly when blundered last and lost 2 places
in rear, mistake 8th, progress 12th, weakened 14th, pulled up soon after 3 out
in touch, chased leading pair 8th, clear of rest 11th, weakened 4 out
soon with leader, led 13th, headed next, ridden to lead again 2 out, clear last, eased flat
chased leading pair until 8th, ridden 10th, pulled up approaching 14th
in rear, headway to moderate 3rd 3 out, left 2nd at last
in rear, ridden 4 out, went moderate 3rd flat
The Randy Bishop ran well for a long way at Towcester the other day however a safer bet looks to be MATTAKING who jumped ebulliently when scoring here earlier in the month; Mutual Respect and Feeling Peckish may prove to be the best of the rest. Rene Robeson's gelding had been off the track for over a year before winning well here nearly three weeks ago. He jumped with enthusiasm on that occasion and looks sure to run a big race here with the only doubt being his stamina for this new trip. Mutual Respect ran well at Exeter last time out when he just looked a tad one-paced in the closing stages so the longer trip may help, Little Bit Of Hush is a point-to-point winner who is of more interest now tackling fences, whilst Feeling Peckish runs this track fairly well and has a chance of getting closer to Mattaking this afternoon with his nice pull in the weights. The Iron Giant was third to the selection last time out and that was probably his best effort over fences to date, Shanahan has no ground issues and is one of the more consistent in the race, whilst The Randy Bishop can be too keen but he is not discounted returning to chasing despite a 10lb higher mark. Interesting fayre but a solid chance for Mattaking to win again.
The Randy Bishop 14-1 (10-7) Chased winner until 4th and again next, no impression when not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 11, 20l behind Seaquel (9-12) at Towcester 2m nov sell hdl (5) gf.
Shanahan (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway when jumped slowly 10th, ridden after 4 out, no impression, blundered last, 5th of 12, 12l behind Magical Harry (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
Mattaking (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 11th, made rest, driven and stayed on from 2 out, ridden out flat, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf beating Peak Seasons (10-0) by 1l, 10 ran.
Mutual Respect (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Hed up in touch, mistake 8th, kept on into modest 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Passato (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf.
Little Bit of Hush (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Led to 3rd, led again 7th, headed after 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, well behind Legion D'honneur (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Feeling Peckish (USA) 12-1 (10-4) Mid-division on wide outside, pushed along and behind 6th, never going well after, lost touch 11th, left moderate 4th last, 4th of 10, 16l behind Mattaking (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf.
The Iron Giant (IRE) 66-1 (9-12) In rear, under pressure when blundered 12th, headway to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on same pace, left 3rd last, no impression, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Mattaking (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf.