Racecards
14:45 Newton Abbot
Torbay Media Novices' Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 75y
- Going: Good to Soft (Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £13,400 added
- Winner: £6,535
- 2nd: £3,011
- 3rd: £1,505
- 4th: £754
- Form 533-112
- Age 5
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey P J Brennan
led, ridden and hard pressed 2 out, every chance last when blundered, no extra flat and eased down final 100 yards
- Form 13FF14-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer S Hosie
- Jockey James Best
in rear, not fluent 2nd and 3rd, well behind from 5th, pulled up before 7th
- Form 138-12
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer J Tizzard
- Jockey Brendan Powell
prominent, mistake 6th, pushed along from 5 out, struggling and dropped to rear 4 out, no chance thereafter
- Form 1-31117
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer A West
- Jockey Lee Edwards
held up, hard ridden to go 2nd from 4 out, challenging 2 out, disputed lead last, bounded clear flat, comfortably
In depth
Verdict
Byzantine Empire has won a couple of novice handicaps but was surprisingly beaten here last time. He has to give three less-experienced rivals 10lb and MASCAT, a winner here over hurdles, could have too much pace if his jumping holds up. Noahthirtytwored is preferred to the returning Geni De La Cour of the others.
Formwatch
Byzantine Empire 2-5fav (11-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, pushed along before normal 3 out, no impression on winner bypassing normal 2 out, 2nd of 3, 12l behind Ragamuffin (10-7) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Geni De La Cour (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Held up in 4th, jumped right 3rd, closed after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon held, no extra when not fluent last, 4th of 5, 15 1/4l behind Knappers Hill (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (4) gd in Apr.
Mascat 12-1 (11-9) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 15 1/2l behind Saratoga Gold (11-4) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Noahthirtytwored (IRE) 125-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Jahoori (9-4) at Ffos Las 1m 4f stks (4) gs in Aug.