The Scotsman

Byron Flyer can soar again at Leicester

- By GLENDALE

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.

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 him 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 can shrug off top-weight in the Racing UK Autumn Sprint Handicap. Trained by 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 in a handicap at Yarmouth.

Reconnaiss­ancecancap­italise 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.

Nyala can defy both a 3lb rise 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. Beaten only two lengths when fourth on her only previous try at 10 furlongs , she’s worth another chance at the longer distance.

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