HARRY Fry’s Seaborough yard continues to sparkle, as red-hot favourite Activial justified his short price to scoop the Bathwick Tyres Taunton Beginners’ Chase.

The six-year-old went off a 2-7 during the five-horse race at Exeter, getting home by a whopping 16 lengths under the guidance of Noel Fehily.

Speaking about his charge’s first success over fences, Fry told his official website: “Activial has been such a consistent horse over the past two years and it was good to see him get his head in front again for the first time since the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton in February, 2014.

“While his jumping was not without blemish, particularly at the third last and second last fences, he was already in control by then and finished full of running.

“Which rather confirmed my view that in time we will be stepping him up to three miles.

“One option is a Grade Two Novice Chase at Haydock on January 23. We will see how he gets on there before looking at possible targets at the Cheltenham Festival.”

n Bob Bishop, joint-owner of Sherborne handler Colin Tizzard-trained Cue Card, has died aged 83.