Sandown Preview: Vyta ready to Roc

Vyta Du Roc created a huge impression when scoring last time out and can defy a penalty to complete the four-timer in the 2m 4f novice hurdle at Sandown today (1.55).

The gelding shaped with promise in two runs in juvenile hurdles in France, and won both his starts in facile fashion back in the summer after joining Nicky Henderson.

The five-year-old barely had to break sweat in the first of those at Uttoxeter when sauntering clear to win easing down by 10 lengths, and followed up with a very comfortable 2 1/4 length success at Hexham.

Although Vyta Du Roc didn’t beat much in those contests, the manner of his victories suggested he had a huge engine and was a very exciting prospect who needing keeping firmly onside.

That view was confirmed on seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham last month where the son of Lion Noir landed a Grade 2 contest over 2m 1f in good style.

Vyta Du Roc got outpaced three from home after making a mistake at the fourth last, but then rallied strongly up the hill to get up close home and win going away by a neck from Emerging Talent.

The pair pulled 13 lengths clear of the third to give the form a solid look, and it was a cracking effort from Vyta for one so inexperienced.

The step up in trip this afternoon looks sure to suit, and with further improvement looking assured Vyta Du Roc looks capable of giving weight to all his rivals.

In the 2m juevnile hurdle that opens proceedings (12.50), Baraka De Thaix is going to be very tough to beat if building on a highly promising debut run for trainer David Pipe.

The gelding won a bumper of debut in France when trained by Guy Cherel and went on to be placed in two similar contest before joining Pipe in the summer.

The Pond House handler pitched Baraka De Thaix into what is traditionally a hot Grade 2 contest at Cheltenham on his first start for eight weeks, and the three-year-old ran a blinder to finish third of nine to Golden Doyen.

Baraka De Thaix took up the running at the third last, and despite a mistake two from home only got headed on the run-in to be beaten just two lengths.