held up in rear, raced keenly, headway 4th, challenged 2 out, led before last, edged left flat, driven out
led, driven after 4 out, headed before last, weakened flat
chased leader until 4th, outpaced 6th, well beaten 4 out
chased leaders, closed 7th, ridden 4 out, went 2nd last, pressing winner flat, held towards finish
BYZANTINE EMPIRE proved seven lengths too good for Restandbethankful when making a winning chase debut at Southwell over this trip. He looked to score with plenty in hand and can confirm placings, although the Murphy gelding is now 8lb better off and gave the impression he'd improve a bundle for his first experience over larger obstacles. Rated higher than the selection over hurdles, he should certainly get closer this time. Gordon Elliott runs two, with The Greek looking best. He should come on for a satisfactory chasing debut recently but his career record stands at 1-16. Don Diablo, beaten 36 lengths and 83 lengths respectively on his only chasing runs, needs to find significant improvement.
Byzantine Empire 7-4 (10-8) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd at 6th, led going well 3 out, clear next, kept up to work run-in, easily, won at Southwell 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun beating Restandbethankful (11-2) by 7l, 4 ran.
Restandbethankful 4-1 (11-2) Held up in 4th, good headway 6th, went 2nd before 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Byzantine Empire (10-8) at Southwell 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Don Diablo (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, slow next, pushed along and soon dropped to rear, no extra from 4 out, completely tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind For Everyone (11-12) at Tipperary 2m 1f Yielding in Jul.
The Greek (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, slight mistake 4th, 5th halfway, mistake 4 out and soon ridden, went 4th 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 16 1/4l behind For Everyone (11-12) at Tipperary 2m 1f Yielding in Jul.
