mid-division, outpaced 2 out, never on terms, weakened flat
with leader, hit 4 out, lost place after 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last
mid-division on inside, headway 2 out, soon chased leaders, ridden and every chance before last, kept on same pace flat
held up towards rear of mid-division when lost action and eased approaching 3rd, pulled up soon after
tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led before next, headed narrowly last, soon ridden, no extra in 3rd flat
held up behind, hit 3 out, some headway under pressure between last 2, never near leaders
towards rear, outpaced 2 out, never near leaders
tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
in touch, driven and lost place after 2 out, soon outpaced, ridden and kept on under pressure from last, never on terms
held up in touch, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders before last, went 2nd and kept on flat, no impression with winner
mid-division on outside, mistake 4 out, soon behind, tailed off
always towards rear, mistake 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
held up towards rear, smooth headway 3 out, close up next, came towards stands side rail and led narrowly when not fluent last, ridden clear flat, stayed on well
made most to before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
always behind, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
in rear, headway 3 out, outpaced after next, never near leaders, weakened flat
chased leaders, outpaced 2 out, weakened from last
tracked leaders, hit 4 out, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, no impression after
mid-division, chased leaders 2 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, never on terms
An impossible-looking handicap in which most have some sort of chance. Oxwich Bay ran a blinder under a big weight at Warwick on his reappearance and could easily go one better. Man Look produced a career-best to score at Bangor but that was over 2m4f. Magic Dancer escapes a penalty for last week’s win under Richard Patrick at Kempton while neither Or De Vassy nor Slanelough were winning out of turn last time. Plato's Kode is a useful juvenile and Banditry is proving consistent, as is Zalvados. COUNTER SHY beat Banditry at Worcester in September and then only found one too good under a penalty at Uttoxeter. He’s only had two hurdle starts so there should be more to come.
Banditry (IRE) 5-4fav (11-13) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, chased winner from last, kept on and well held, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Peruvien Bleu (12-0) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Man Look 12-1 (11-8) Made all, ridden before 2 out, pressed last, stayed on well to assert flat, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Cave Top (11-9) by 3 1/4l, 9 ran.
Zalvados (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, not much room on inside before 2 out, soon led, mistake and headed last, held flat, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Whatmore (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Counter Shy (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Mid-division, tracked leaders 4 out, effort between last 2, ridden and ran on after last, soon every chance, held towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Midnight Shadow (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Champagne City 7-1 (10-12) Badly hampered 1st, always in rear, never able to recover, 7th of 10, 35l behind Silver Streak (10-11) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Or De Vassy (FR) 9-4fav (10-12) In touch, went 3rd before 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct beating Nicely Indeed (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Canny Tom (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, progress 2 out, 3rd after last, ridden in 5th entering straight, closer on outer early straight, no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 8l behind Hard Bought (10-3) at Galway 2m 2f hcp hvy in Oct.
Coeur Blimey (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Raced wide, in mid-division, headway tracking leaders approaching 4th, close 3rd and every chance 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden and 1 length down before last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Air Horse One (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Slanelough (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) In touch, headway after 3 out, challenged last, led run-in, kept on strongly, won at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Oct beating Bal De Rio (10-12) by 4l, 12 ran.
Oxwich Bay (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, challenged when hit next, led narrowly between last 2, ridden and headed when edged right flat, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind One For Billy (11-10) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Argent Knight 25-1 (9-4) Tracked leader until after halfway, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 7 1/4l behind Arty Campbell (9-0) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Pivotal Flame (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, one pace, 4th of 13, 9 1/4l behind Highway One O One (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Magic Dancer 3-1fav (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, 2nd before next, led and hit 2 out, edged right between last 2, went left last, edged left and ridden clear run-in, won at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Jumping Jack (10-4) by 2l, 9 ran.
Spiritual Man (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Mid-division, outpaced 2 out, no impression after, 7th of 11, 20 1/4l behind One For Billy (11-10) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Stuccodor (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, always behind, 10th of 14, 37 1/4l behind Bobble Emerald (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
War On The Rocks (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, driven in 5th after 2 out, kept on into 3rd close home, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 12, 7 1/2l behind Arty Campbell (10-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Plato's Kode (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Towards rear, headway before 2 out to chase leaders, kept on after last, 3rd of 12, 3 1/4l behind American Craftsman (10-12) at Wetherby 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Samson 10-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 14, 21l behind Trans Express (10-11) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Arty Campbell (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, smooth headway on inner into mid-division soon after 3 out, 2nd on bit between last 2, led last, quickened clear run-in, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Gibbes Bay (11-11) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
