held up in rear, not always fluent, hit 12th, went 3rd from 3 out, no impression, pecked 2 out
chased leader from 1st, leader clear before 5th, jumped left 6th, not fluent 11th, closed but lost 2nd 13th, challenging 4 out, led next, clear when went left last, hanging left and idling flat, ridden out
2nd until went left and slow 1st, chased leaders, went close 2nd 13th, challenging when left in lead 4 out, went left and headed next, pitched on landing and hind legs slipped badly, no impression on winner after
held up, jumped left and not fluent 11th, closed on outside from 13th, about 2 lengths 4th when slithered on landing and unseated rider 4 out
led, clear before 5th until approaching 13th, pecked and headed 4 out, no extra and went left next
BYRON FLYER has a terrific career strike-rate and, having already won on the Flat and over hurdles, made a smooth transition to chasing at Worcester. If he shows a similar enthusiasm here, he will take some pegging back. Eragon De Chanay won five times over hurdles and should make a chaser but will be better when the going eases. Pink Eyed Pedro has won twice over fences but has run 11 times and looks a few pounds too high now. Dans Le Vent has changed yards and is having a first run since April while New Agenda appears to be facing a very stiff task at the weights.
Eragon De Chanay (FR) 20-1 (11-9) Tracked leader to before 2 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, dist behind Colonial Dreams (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Byron Flyer 11-8fav (11-2) Made all, driven clear after last, ran on, readily, won at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Sep beating Passing Call (10-9) by 6l, 4 ran.
Pink Eyed Pedro 5-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway after 4 out, mistake and weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, 31 1/4l behind Tea Time Fred (10-11) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Dans Le Vent (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Made most until 2 out, weakened last, 10th of 13, dist behind Tobefair (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
New Agenda 25-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened and eased approaching final furlong, tailed off, 9th of 12, 32 3/4l behind Rake's Progress (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 3f hcp (5) gs in Jun.