Racecards
18:10 Newton Abbot
Brendon Soper Memorial Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3)
- 3 Runners
- Distance: 2m 75y
- Going: Good (Good to Firm in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £13,400 added
- Winner: £6,535
- 2nd: £3,011
- 3rd: £1,505
- 4th: £754
- Form 4533-11
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey P J Brennan
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, pushed along before normal 3 out, no impression on winner bypassing normal 2 out
- Form 212212
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer N P Mulholland
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
made all, pushed along after normal 4 out, clear bypassing normal 2 out, stayed on
- Form 5P-3233
- Age 8
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 78
- Trainer J D Frost
- Jockey Angus Cheleda
chased winner, just lost 2nd when fell 5th
In depth
Verdict
BYZANTINE EMPIRE has won both chase starts in the style of a useful novice. He will not find it easy conceding 17lb to course winner Ragamuffin but the latter may already be in the handicapper’s grip. Treacys Jim will probably complete in his own time.
Formwatch
Byzantine Empire 5-4fav (11-4) Held up in rear, raced keenly, headway 4th, challenged 2 out, led before last, edged left flat, driven out, won at Perth 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul beating The Greek (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Ragamuffin (IRE) 11-8 (10-11) Led, challenged before 6 out, pushed along when headed before 3 out, hit 2 out, eased close home, last of 2, 26l behind Hell Red (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Treacys Jim (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Chased winner until 7th, outpaced 10th, behind from next, last of 3, dist behind Mortlach (12-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f (3) gd in Aug.