Only five runners will line up for the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot on Saturday afternoon, but this could be a race that throws up a potential Cheltenham Festival candidate. Our in-house tipster Steve Chambers previews the contest and picks out his 1-2-3 for the 2m 7f 180y contest at 1:50pm.
JINGKO BLUE
(Nico De Boinville/Nicky Henderson)
Pulled up in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last season, Jingko Blue has since blossomed over fences this campaign and will attempt to make it three wins from three on Saturday in this event. He followed up a nine-and-a-half length winning chasing debut with a taking victory in the Hampton Novices’ Chase at Windsor, which duly earned him quotes of 20/1 for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase next month. Nicky Henderson’s star will need to improve again and will have the burden of giving 5lbs to his rivals here, but he shaped like he could be a potential top notch staying novice chaser this year and he certainly sets the standard.
LOWRY’S BAR
(Micheal Nolan/Philip Hobbs & Johnson White)
Lowry’s Bar is another that has blossomed over fences and having won two races over fences he then took on the abovementioned Jingko Blue at Windsor last time out. Unable to live with the Henderson contender that day the Philip Hobbs & Johnson White-trained seven-year-old will be looking to reverse that form here. They took each other on off level weights that day, so the 5lbs he will be in receipt of here should be a huge positive for connections, but whether he has the same potential improvement as Jingko Blue is up for question.
THE CHANGING MAN
(Brendan Powell/Joe Tizzard)
Joe Tizzard’s The Changing Man has become a frustrating betting proposition in recent times as the hugely consistent eight-year-old has amassed three second placed finishes in his last three starts. Runner-up in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle, he then went and finished second in the Silver Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot before grabbing the silver medal again in the Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase at Doncaster. Sure to run his race here, he will have notably more experience than his rivals in this event, so if the market leaders fluff their lines then he could be there to pick up the pieces.
REST OF THE FIELD
Jonjo & A J O’Neill’s Peaky Boy has been a regular winner at Cheltenham in recent times and having won twice at Prestbury Park over timber he then tasted a chase success there back in November. However, he could only finish third there over fences on his last start and while he’s undoubtedly talented he could prove to just be a solid handicapper and not a Graded performer. Anthony Honeyball’s Leave Of Absence is the likely market outsider and having only had won over fences when second to Iberico Lord at Kempton back in November then he will need to improve significantly to play a notable role.
VERDICT
This could turn into a fascinating duel again between JINGKO BLUE and Lowry’s Bar, as they do battle for the second time after fighting out a fine finish at Windsor last time. Jingko Blue is worse off at the weights here, but looks to be the real class act in the race and he can taste victory, while Lowry’s Bar will have to settle for the minor honours again with The Changing Man grabbing third.
2025 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase Predicted 1-2-3
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.