left in lead 1st, settled behind leader 4th, led 4 out, hard pressed 2 out, driven out flat
left 2nd 1st, led 4th until 4 out, ridden to renew challenge 2 out, kept on but no extra from there
leading when blundered and unseated rider 1st
left 3rd 1st, joined leaders 10th, hit 4 out, went 2nd briefly when not fluent 3 out, weakened after next
Just a quartet turn up for what is not a bad little prize and CONSIGLIERE can score, while The Randy Bishop may make the frame. The selection has been raised 3lbs for toughing it out over the stiff Towcester circuit on soft ground last time. He has also handled very soft in his native France, he continues to be unexposed over fences, and he can follow up here. The Randy Bishop also won on what was pretty testing ground at Market Rasen on Boxing Day and has been raised 9lbs for that. That does look a bit harsh from the assessor and a 7lb claim will certainly help. Katess has not been given too arduous a mark by the handicapper for her handicap chase debut, but she might have more of a problem with underfoot conditions. Portland Bill won't mind the ground, but he looks in need of a further drop in the weights, and this trip is a bit short for him. All of that leads us back to the selection, Consigliere.
Consigliere (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, hampered 7th, led 10th, mistake 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on, won at Towcester 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft in Nov beating Overbranch (10-8) by 2l, 5 ran.
Katess (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 9th, ridden and chased winner 4 out, no impression from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Lamanver Homerun (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Portland Bill (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Prominent, mistake 8th, every chance approaching 4 out, hit 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 27l behind Stolen Moments (11-10) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
The Randy Bishop 8-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, held up, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd next, led last, ridden and edged left flat, kept on towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec beating Guns And Butter (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
