'This is a bit of a trial for the Brown Advisory' - Jingko Blue bids to advance festival claims in Grade 2 Reynoldstown

Today's Offers

11

All offers

Exclusive new customer sign up offers

FREE BETS

FREE BETS

This field of five has two pertinent examples of the power of attaching Nicky Henderson's name to a horse. 

First, and most importantly, it is hard to argue that Jingko Blue would be so much shorter than Lowry's Bar were it not for the former being with a trainer with such a devoted following. 

When the pair met at Windsor last time, on terms 5lb better for Jingko Blue than they are here, Lowry's Bar had him in trouble before walking through three out. And don't just take my word for it – the Betfair in-running market made him 1-2 at the time.

There is also Peaky Boy. He went off favourite in all his four starts for Henderson, all at Cheltenham. He won a novice handicap chase over 2m4½f in November then finished a close third over 3m1½f the following month under a big weight.

If he were still with Henderson, boasting that profile, he would not be pushing double-figure odds. That he moved to Jonjo and AJ O'Neill a little over three weeks ago raises some questions over his preparation for this race. He also loses the Henderson loyalty bonus.

Peaky Boy could be a little shorter in the market, while Lowry's Bar should be at least joint-favourite with Jingko Blue. The Changing Man is the other credible winner and he is harder to pin down.

On talent The Changing Man could be placed right behind the favourites. The question is whether his run of seconds in good handicaps is down to factors completely outside his control. This horse is a second-season novice, an underachiever's badge if ever there was one, and it is hard to escape the idea that he has been outbattled at least once or twice this season.

The Changing Man (left): second in his last three startsCredit: Steve Davies

Backing The Changing Man, Jingko Blue or Peaky Boy requires a degree of faith in either the horse or their yard. Reason should lead you instead to the one whose price is wrong. In this race that horse is pretty clearly Lowry's Bar.
Analysis by Keith Melrose

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Jingko Blue
He's wrong at the weights with Lowry's Bar and it looks a good Reynoldstown. It's a pity he's got the penalty, but you can't have your cake and eat it. The ground at Windsor was pretty hard work for all of them and he'll be fine on this. We'll try him again at three miles and this is a bit of a trial for us for the Brown Advisory. He's in good form and we're hopeful.

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Leave Of Absence
This sort of trip is going to suit him a lot better. He jumped quite nicely on his debut run over fences and that was after a long time off. He's had a nice bit of time then and we're running out of season. It's a very good race, but some of his back form suggests that he could end up that kind of quality of horse. We're willing to gamble with the handicap mark and see what happens. On the ratings we're a little way off, but based on what he's done at home we're happy to let him take his chance. There's only five in there and, if he jumps well and things go smoothly, you never know.
Reporting by Charlie Huggins

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.