National Hunt Chase credentials on the line as Does He Know bids for Grade 2 win

Saturday: 1.50 Ascot
Bateaux London Reynoldstown Novices' Chase (Grade 2) | 3m | 5yo+ | ITV/Sky

Does He Know puts his National Hunt Chase credentials to the test when he takes on five rivals in a prestigious contest which has been won by classy types such as Black Corton and Rocky Creek in the past decade.

Winner of two of his three starts over fences, the improving Kim Bailey-trained chaser was unlucky to run into Threeunderthrufive on his last start at Cheltenham in November.

As the latter has since gone on to win Grade 2 chases at Doncaster and Warwick, that was no bad effort from the seven-year-old who carries a 3lb penalty and is a 25-1 chance for Cheltenham glory.

Bailey said: "We've been very happy with him at home and hopefully he'll run accordingly. He wouldn't want a deluge but has handled soft ground in the past, so hopefully should cope."

Annual Invictus (leading): will wear cheekpieces for the first timeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Among the opposition is Annual Invictus, who ran on well at the finish last time at Plumpton. Trainer Chris Gordon said: "He had a bit of a hiccup the time before last at Aintree, which Daryl Jacob told us to put a line through. He's since run a funny race under a double penalty at Plumpton where he nearly pulled himself up passing the stable bend and then ran on again to be beaten not very far.

"We're putting the cheekpieces on him to help him concentrate and if he puts it in, he would go close. The only concern is if the ground goes heavy."

Two Scottish hopes are set to make the long trek south, including the Sandy Thomson-trained Doyen Breed. He said: "He's rated 142 and he's probably not ready for the hurly-burly of a big handicap yet. This is six runners all pretty evenly matched on ratings. He ran a lovely race at Warwick and he's growing up all the time."

Fern Hill's trainer Ben Case is hoping his contender can make it third time lucky. He said: "We took him out of Lingfield earlier in the week because it went heavy and before that when it was too quick at Newbury. He's all right on soft so we’ll have a look at the ground but he goes there in good shape."

Saturday's previews:

Bristol and Goshen to the fore as old friends provide comfort in stormy weather

2.05 Haydock: Olly Murphy 'can't be sure' if well-fancied Thomas Darby will handle the ground

2.20 Gowran Park: Triumph Hurdle hero Quilixios out to earn spot in Champion Hurdle line-up

2.25 Ascot: 'He could be a bit better than a handicapper' - can Fiddlerontheroof come good?

2.40 Haydock: Well-treated Sam Brown near-perfect at Haydock and has more improvement in him

3.20 Wincanton: 'Lots of people have doubted him, but I haven't. I know he's a good horse'

3.38 Ascot: Betfair Ascot Chase: the key players on their Grade 1 chances in the big race

Saturday Jury: 'He's a Grade 1 horse in a handicap' - our panel pick their fancies for Saturday

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