held up in rear, went moderate 4th 7th, weakened approaching 4 out, mistake 3 out
held up in 3rd, chased leader 6th, mistake 8th, led and hit 4 out, clear approaching last, stayed on well
led, clear until after 5th, hit 9th, headed 4 out, no impression from 2 out
chased leader, mistake 2nd, lost 2nd 6th, 3rd and weakening when mistake 4 out
always behind
THE RANDY BISHOP can go close with a clear round whilst both Irish raiders must be respected. Jupiter Ficial has struggled over fences so far but made a fair comeback over hurdles after a short break and must be respected in a race that won't take a deal of winning. Viable makes his chase bow for an in-form yard and comes into the race on the back of a decent effort with the same comments applying to Picot De Say. Rustler has never managed to reproduce his homework on the track and remains best watched but couldn't be ruled out with any confidence. Cylindar Rattler hasn't threatened to win a race in a handful of starts in Ireland but is another worthy of a market check on his chase bow. The Randy Bishop unseated on his first run over the larger obstacles at Towcester but that mishap occurred just two from home at a time when he was still travelling well and looking likely to go close. The mistake and the differing nature of this track are clearly cause for concern but on the upside his wellbeing is not in doubt and nor is the fact that he has the ability to score from this mark so The Randy Bishop is selected.
Jupiter Ficial (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Towards rear, headway into 5th straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from after 2 out, 5th of 20, 13l behind Spare Change (11-1) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 gs in Oct.
Viable 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, headed and not fluent 2 out, stayed on, 2nd of 18, nk behind Picky (11-5) at Towcester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Picot de Say 7-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden and chased leaders 2 out, ran on from last, led near finish, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Oct beating Young Tot (11-6) by a nk, 16 ran.
Rustler 3-1fav (11-3) In rear, slow jump 1st, ridden and headway after 3 out, not reach leaders, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Cottingham (11-10) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Aug '07.
Cylindar Rattler (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Towards rear, closer in 8th after 3 out, no extra from next, 12th of 18, 35l behind Conclave (10-8) at Galway 2m 4f hcp hdle hvy in Sept.
Phoenix Eye 12-1 (11-4) Held up, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 29l behind Star Tenor (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
The Randy Bishop 10-1 (11-5) Held up and behind, raced keenly, not fluent 6th, headway when hit next, challenged and going well when mistake and unseated rider 2 out in race won by High Jack (11-3) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs, 7 ran.
