prominent, pushed along after 10th, weakened 13th, soon tailed off
chased leaders, driven along 10th, outpaced after 4 out
made most, pushed along approaching 3 out, in command between last 2, eased near finish
settled rear, steady headway from 11th, chased winner 4 out, close up 3 out, soon ridden and beaten after next
always behind, mistake 9th, lost touch after next, tailed off
behind, lost touch 10th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
jumped left at several fences, raced wide, mostly tracked winner until blundered and weakened 4 out
chased leaders, challenged 12th to 4 out, one pace under pressure from next
The 13-year-old Banker Count has won his last two starts, latterly against similarly old rivals, and this looks tougher with preference for Brown Teddy, who gets the vote ahead of Royal Atalza. The last mentioned is not the most consistent of performers but showed enough at Wetherby in October and at the same venue last week to suggest that a race of this nature would be within his compass. Geoff Huffer's eight-year-old has to be respected along with Peccadillo, who has gone well here before and has his ideal conditions. Zeta's River is an interesting contender for trainer Martin Pipe and should strip fitter for a recent return after a lengthy absence. He is unexposed and has been given a chance by the handicapper so the market may provide the best guide as to his expectations. Polar Scout and Tom Costalot are others worthy of a mention but the vote goes to Brown Teddy. Richard Ford's gelding is set to go up 4lbs in future handicaps following an improved display when second to Schuh Shine over course and distance last month and a reproduction of that effort may suffice.
Peccadillo (IRE) 10-1 Tracked leader, lost touch after 10th, soon tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Lacdoudal at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in Jan.
Royal Atalza (FR) 4-1 In rear but in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on from next, 3rd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Mouseski at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs (B) gs.
Banker Count 10-3fav Led 2nd to 6th, chased leader after, hit 7th, led again approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Jan beating Abalvino by 2l, 9 ran.
Zeta's River (IRE) 10-1 Raced keenly, mistake 3rd, always in rear, tailed off 7th, 14th of 18, well behind Pole Star at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Lord 'n' Master (IRE) 25-1 Held up in rear, hampered 13th, ridden 5 out, weakened 2 out, 12th of 18, 34l behind Puntal at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gf in Apr.
Giocomo (IRE) 14-1 Held up towards rear, weakened from 5 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Benrajah at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
Brown Teddy 5-1 Chased winner, challenged from 3 out, not fluent next, upsides soon after last, no extra and held final 150 yards, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Schuh Shine at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Jan.
Tom Costalot (IRE) 7-1 Prominent, non fluent 5th, ridden 12th, kept on one pace from 3 out, 4th of 7, 24l behind Cool Monty at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Jan.
Polar Scout (IRE) 9-2 Towards rear, hit 3rd, mistake 9th, headway approaching 4 out, hit next, chased winner 2 out, until one pace from last, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Noisetine at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Jan.
