led, ridden and hard pressed 2 out, every chance last when blundered, no extra flat and eased down final 100 yards
in rear, not fluent 2nd and 3rd, well behind from 5th, pulled up before 7th
prominent, mistake 6th, pushed along from 5 out, struggling and dropped to rear 4 out, no chance thereafter
held up, hard ridden to go 2nd from 4 out, challenging 2 out, disputed lead last, bounded clear flat, comfortably
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.
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.
