SCi leapfrogs Elevation in race for Lara

COMPUTER games firm SCi Entertainment moved into pole position in the race for Lara Croft after bagging support from 26.3% of Eidos's shareholders.

Fund managers Gartmore and Merrill Lynch threw their weight behind SCi's bid, adding 6.51pc of shares to the 19.78% already pledged by Schroders.

This means SCi can block rival Elevation Partners' offer, which has been made through a scheme of arrangement. Such schemes need the support of at least 75% of shareholders.

SCi chief Jane Cavanagh was last night trying to persuade the Eidos board to throw its weight behind her £80m all-share offer.

The Eidos board recommended Elevation's £71m cash offer last week. But Elevation, where U2 singer Bono is a partner, has the support of just 2.1% of Eidos's shareholders.