Sodexo Live! Reynoldstown Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 6m 6.2s

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Brave Kingdom^t⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138

3/1

Most progressive 8-y-o who enhanced his impressive strike rate and took chase record to 2-2 when landing Newbury novices' handicap (23.4f) in December. Worth another chance at this level on balance and likely there's even more to come.

Form: 1131/11

Henry's Friend^p1¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 134

13/2

Dual winner over hurdles who has improved for switch to chasing, confirming he'd been let off lightly when making it 2-3 at Hereford (20.9f) 3 weeks ago, despite not doing a lot in front. This understandably tougher but unlikely he's reached his limit. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 410-511

Kilbeg King^p,t⁵³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 142| D

10/3

Useful novice hurdler at up to 3m last season and has taken well to chasing this term, posting a career best when 14¼ lengths third of 6 to Il Est Francais in 3m Kempton Grade 1 novice in this headgear combination on Boxing Day. Not ruled out with sights lowered.

Form: 121-333

The King Of Ryhope³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| D

10/1

Low-mileage 8-y-o who improved to make a winning return/handicap chase debut at Chepstow (19.5f, soft) in October, seeing off a resilient rival (pair clear). Failed to see things out both outings since and has work to do on these terms.

Form: 133-133

Apple Away³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 141| D

13/8

Most progressive novice hurdler during 2022/23, her season culminating in Gr. 1 success at Aintree in the spring. Better for chase debut when easy winner of a Leicester maiden (22.7f) and better than result implies when second in Warwick Gr. 2 5 weeks ago. Of interest in receipt of weight all round.

Form: 111-312

Forecasts

Apple Away (13/8), Brave Kingdom (3/1), Kilbeg King (10/3), Henry's Friend (13/2), The King Of Ryhope (10/1)

A comfortable winner on her second chase start at Leicester, APPLE AWAY wasn't seen to best effect having helped force a good pace when second behind Grey Dawning in Grade 2 company at Warwick 5 weeks ago. Remaining the type to do better, she's fancied to make a bold bid again in receipt of weight all round. Brave Kingdom, who arrives unbeaten in this sphere, is worth another crack at graded company and feared. Kilbeg King is another not discounted.