held up, headway 10th, 4th when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
led 2nd until 8th, weakened after 10th
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression approaching next
chased leaders, ridden and lost place after 10th, weakened after 3 out
always prominent, led 10th, jumped left 3 out and last, driven clear near finish
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up in rear, mistake 8th, headway after 10th, no danger when slightly hampered 2 out
led until 2nd, chased leader, led again 8th until 10th, stayed on same pace from 2 out
took keen hold in rear, jumped right 8th and 9th, no extra after
Banker Count showed something like his old form at Cheltenham last time and is fancied to resume winning ways in a race where Silk Trader and Flinders Chase are rated the main dangers. The selection may not be as good as he once was but showed at Cheltenham last time that he is more than capable of taking a hand in a race of this nature off today's mark and makes more appeal than Silk Trader. The last mentioned has gone up 7lbs for his win at Doncaster last time and is far from certain to stay this longer trip. Top weight Flinders Chase seems plenty high enough in the handicap at present, while Cracking Dawn has given little sign of encouragement since making a winning return at Haydock in November. Search And Destroy is better over fences than over hurdles but needs to improve on recent form to take a hand and of more interest may be Why The Long Face. Richard Guest's gelding did not beat much when landing a novices' chase here last time and this looks tougher but he is at least in form. Horses from the stable of Nigel Twiston-Davies still remain in good heart so Master Papa is another to consider but Banker Count advertised his current well being at Cheltenham last time and is taken to resume winning ways.
