Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices' Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 6m 11.8s

Fletchers Flyer^t⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 144

7/2

Career best when taking a 3m6f handicap chase at Punchestown last year and shaped like he needed the run on recent reappearance over C&D. Should come on for that and still relatively early days in his chasing career so there may be more to come this season but does have to concede weight all round.

Form: 2/P232-1

Arpege D'alene^b,t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 145

10/11

Excellent second behind Mall Dini in a Handicap Listed contest at the festival last year and shown promise in four chase starts while not looking a complete natural over fences. May not want much more rain either so might be one to oppose at a likely short price.

Form: 129-512

Bigbadjohn²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonathan Moore| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 136

8/1

No disgrace to be runner-up to Thistlecrack at Newbury two starts back and looks a versatile type with regards to trip and ground. Running no sort of race at Doncaster last time when slipping on the bend heading out for his final circuit and needs to bounce back if he's to have any sort of chance in this. May struggle on these terms.

Form: 1021-P3

Laurium⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: David Bass| T: N J Henderson| OR: 141

12/1

Usually races on faster ground than what he will encounter here and has produced some disappointing efforts when there's been soft in the going description. Disappointing at Cheltenham last time and no obvious excuses for that run. Trainer won this last year but may struggle to go back-to-back.

Form: P31551

Flintham^p²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: M Bradstock| OR: 139

9/2

Half-brother to Coneygree who won some decent races over hurdles. Respectable return to chasing last time and was probably in need of the run after several months off the track; bearing in mind his trainer tends to bring them along slowly. Good chance considering his relations he'll make an even better chaser than hurdler and should not be underestimated.

Form: 1P/P010-

Non-Runners

Label Des Obeaux¹⁸

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: A King J: Wayne Hutchinson

Forecasts

Arpege D'alene (10/11), Fletchers Flyer (7/2), Label Des Obeaux (7/2), Flintham (9/2), Bigbadjohn (8/1), Laurium (12/1)

FLETCHERS FLYER's seasonal reappearance was encouraging and he looks sure to come on for that run. He's already proven himself to be a useful performer over the larger obstacles with a good win at Punchestown last year and that's sets a solid standard. Arpege D'alene is likely to be of warm order but may be unsuited by the conditions while Flintham may have more to give over the larger obstacles after a promising return to this sphere last time. 1. Fletchers Flyer 2. Arpege D'alene 3. Flintham