Vyta lands Reynoldstown for Henderson Vyta Du Roc (9/2) thrived for the move up to three miles as he cut down Le Mercurey to win the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot. A high-class performer over hurdles, he stepped up on his two previous efforts this season with a taking victory in the three-mile Grade Two contest. But it was a race in which the picture shifted considerably during the closing stages with leaders Drumacoo and Onenightinvienna dropping away coming off the home turn, leading Le Mercurey to power to the front two out. However, his turn in the lead was itself short-lived as Le Mercurey stuttered into the final fence and the petrol gauge suddenly read empty. That left Vyta Du Roc and Daryl Jacob to seize the initiative and the pair struck for home, only for Minella Rocco, who had looked book to finish last of the five still standing around the home turn, to come motoring down the outside under Barry Geraghty, Vyta Du Roc had just enough in hand to score by a head, with Le Mercurey third and Drumacoo a disappointing fourth, his RSA Chase prospects seemingly slipping away. Winning rider Jacob said: "He was tough, we didn't go quick and I was stuck in a pocket. "I thought I'd win turning in but they kicked again. He hasn't got loads of pace but getting a lead helped a lot. "He pinged the last and I was lucky enough to get a big jump when I needed it."
