BYRON BOOKED FOR LEICESTER GAINS

Byron Flyer has struck a rich vein of form recently to strongly suggest he can complete a hat-trick in the Squirrel Handicap at Leicester tomorrow.

The Ian Williams-trained gelding had put in a host of placed efforts since scoring at Lingfield in February 2017, but a drop in trip and more positive riding tactics have brought a change of fortune.

Having raced mainly over a mile and three-quarters and two miles on the Flat, the switch to a mile and a half saw Byron Flyer strike at Doncaster and Newmarket last month.

The seven-year-old has gone up for 4lb for his last triumph - but he won with such authority that he should prove hard to beat.

Encore D’Or has the class to shrug off top-weight in the Racing UK Autumn Sprint Handicap.

Trained by sprint specialist Robert Cowell, the six-year-old ran his stablemate Global Applause close in the Listed Scarbrough Stakes at Doncaster last month, and went a couple of places better a week later in a handicap at Yarmouth. This looks another good opportunity.

Reconnaissance can capitalise on a 2lb drop in the ratings to open his account in the IT Electrical Contractors Nursery Handicap at Brighton.

The assessor was not particularly enthused by his fifth to Barriston The Bold on his nursery bow at Sandown, but, on reflection, it was not a bad effort.

Trainer Andrew Balding has lowered the son of Lope De Vega in grade and it can pay off with victory.

In contrast, Nyala can defy both a 3lb rise for a course success a month ago and a step up in trip as Daniel Kubler’s filly returns to the Sussex seaside for the Love Fair Antiques & Collectable 21 October Handicap.

The three-year-old was only beaten two lengths when fourth on her only previous try at 10 furlongs and is definitely worth another chance at the longer distance.

Kubler is also fancied to be on target at Catterick, where he sends the inform Chitra in a bid to make it three wins from her last four starts.