Racecards
14:25 Newbury
Stan James Handicap Chase
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
Banker Count
16- Form 311132
- Age 13
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey S Thomas
prominent until 11th, in touch, ridden approaching 14th, weakened after 4 out
- Form 26P-11P
- Age 9
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey A Dobbin
soon driven along in rear, headway approaching 14th, stayed on, never troubled leaders
- Form 2/1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey C M Studd
pulled hard early, led 2nd, blundered 10th, headed approaching 14th, weakened quickly approaching 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
- Form 1P-5352
- Age 13
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey Mr T Greenall
held up, headway 11th, led approaching 14th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace
- Form 322-311
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Christian Williams
held up in touch, took closer order 4 out, led 2 out, stayed on well, ridden out
- Form 412-53P
- Age 10
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 124
- Trainer J L Spearing
- Jockey W T Kennedy
chased leaders, went prominent 9th, not fluent 11th, weakened after 14th
- Form 66-4132
- Age 9
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer R T Phillips
- Jockey R Thornton
behind, pushed along from 7th, headway 10th, weakened approaching 14th, pulled up before 4 out
- Form P8-41PP
- Age 9
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
always struggling in rear, lost touch from 8th, pulled up before 11th
- Form U-729P5
- Age 8
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey J M Maguire
chased leaders, joined leaders 3 out, ridden and every chance last, kept on but no extra run-in
- Form 32P234
- Age 11
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey Paul Moloney
led until 2nd, chased leaders until 9th, soon behind, pulled up after 13th
In depth
Verdict
Red Devil Robert, Banker Count and Lord Jack are three against the field in another tough race to call for punters but the confident vote is given to Red Devil Robert. The selection has been a revelation since being switched to fences and won with plenty in hand when beating Strong Magic last time out. He remains on a fair mark and under conditions that suit he is hard to oppose. Banker Count rates the main danger as he has been in the form of his life of late and was a good second behind Libertine last time out. However he has risen in the weights for that effort and that may just find him out so he is overlooked on this occasion. Lord Jack is another worthy of respect on his best form but he was let down by his jumping last time out and in this competitive affair he will not get away with any mistakes so he looks worth opposing. Kenzo III is one of the least exposed in the field and is from a yard in-form so should be noted in the market. Of the remainder Gunner Wellburn has dropped to a handy mark and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Red Devil Robert who looks to be on a good mark.
Formwatch
Banker Count 16-1 Led to 11th, prominent until outpaced 13th, rallied before last, kept on flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 22, 7l behind Liberthine at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Lord Jack (IRE) 9-1 Mid-division, reminders 11th, weakened 16th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Silver Birch at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) hvy in Dec, 17 ran.
Kenzo Iii (FR) 20-1 In touch, went 2nd 5th, left in lead 13th, ridden when left clear after 4 out, stayed on, won at Ludlow 3m beg chs (E) gs in Feb beating Dickens by 17l, 10 ran.
Gunner Welburn 25-1 In touch, lost place 4th, reminder next, rallied approaching 3 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 14, 17l behind Whereareyounow at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs (B) sft in Feb.
Red Devil Robert (IRE) Evensfav Held up, headway 9th, led approaching 4 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Stratford 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft in Mar beating Strong Magic by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Tom's Prize 10-3 Prominent, not fluent 8th and 9th, lost place approaching 12th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Classic Native at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (C) hvy in Nov, 7 ran.
Yann's (FR) 7-2jt-fav Held up, headway 11th, ridden approaching 3 out, left 2nd last, one pace flat, 2nd of 8, 6l behind The Merry Mason at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Mar.
Prokofiev (USA) 20-1 Tracked leaders, lost place 7th, behind when blundered 9th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by The Merry Mason at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Mar, 8 ran.
Bee An Bee (IRE) 25-1 Towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 24, 14l behind Juveigneur at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in Mar.
Navarone 14-1 Tracked leader, led approaching 4th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 13, 18l behind You're Special at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (E) gd in Dec.