Reynoldstown Novices' Chase 2012

1.50 Ascot

Sodexo Prestige Reynoldstown Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1)  (5YO plus)

Winner £14,068

Advice: 1 pt win Silviniaco Conti (6/5 Blue Sq, Stan James) 

Bobs Worth: Undisputed top staying novice hurdler of last season, following up impressive Grade 2 win at Cheltenham with Festival success in Albert Bartlett; Made perfect debut over fences when getting there in nick of time to deny Cue Card over inadequate 2m4f at Newbury, albeit getting 7lbs in weight; Third in Feltham Chase (labeit well beaten) behind Grands Crus and today’s main form rival Silviniaco Conti; Small breathing operation and return to stiffer track have enhanced his reputation in eyes of many and should go really well.

Silviniaco Conti: Extremely promising over fences, winning Grade 2 Ascot Hurdle by seven lengths before creditable third in International Hurdle (disappointed afterwards); Needed the run badly on his debut at Chepstow but showed that to be all wrong when coming home in his own time at Wincanton (one of only two to complete) before good second (ahead of Bobs Worth) in Feltham last time out; No reason why he shouldn’t go close.

Helpston: Improved to land back to back novice events and performed with real credit in a strong looking Rowland Meryick Chase (form been boosted twice by second and third) and while this should be much tougher (she had a really low weight), deserves respect.

 

Invictus: Been excellent in two starts over fences, romping away at Hereford and Plumpton, beating good field on second of those occasions; Well held when third in Grade 2 at Cheltenham last time needs more here for step up in trip.

Alfie Spinner: Formerly useful hurdler who showed excellent attitude to grind out result in heavy ground at Chepstow, and while he ran well enough in novice event at Warwick last time, he needs a lot more here.

Balie Anrai: Made fairly rapid progress in a few short months, coming second to Fingal Bay before winning two chases after disappointing behind Silvinaco Conti in his chasing debut; Useful type although this a stiff task in itself.

 

Our Island: Still a maiden over fences but barring one start, been largely very disappointingl Seems to want an out and out slog and hard to fancy here.

VERDICT: Some useful types but on form this seems to be between Bobs Worth and SILVINIACO CONTI.  There seems to be a lot of confidence behind Nicky Henderson’s charge after a small breathing operation since his third in the Feltham, but there seems to be no reason why Paul Nicholls’s charge can’t uphold the form and make it two wins over fences.