"Even though the accumulators have reached their objective(s) wouldn't it continue to be in their best interests to hold a lid on the SP while the takeover is being effected? It may be so that they would let the SP run, but I can't see why unless it was quite onerous/costly to hold the price down."

My assertion, which of course could be wrong, is based on the models of other takeovers when they've had a company trading for a period of time to establish a lowball price there is no need to worry about a little rise as the takeover is immanent......and perhaps a few insiders are taking advantage just before the game begins.