Ben Pauling Contemplates Henry's Friend's Inclusion in Ascot's Reynoldstown Race

Ben Pauling, the esteemed trainer from Naunton Downs, is contemplating the entry of Henry's Friend into the Sodexo Live! Reynoldstown Novices' Chase, a prestigious Grade Two race scheduled for Saturday.

This move signifies a potential return to graded company for the talented horse under Pauling's guidance. The Swinley Handicap Chase on the same card also features Henry's Friend as an entry, alongside Bowtogreatness, a horse co-owned by former football manager Harry Redknapp and Pauling's wife.

Henry's Friend has garnered recognition as a promising contender, showcasing its abilities with an impressive placement in Sandown's Winter Novices' Hurdle early in its timber racing career. With two victories in its first three outings over fences, the horse is poised for an exciting challenge in the three-mile event at Ascot. Notable competitors such as Lucinda Russell's Apple Away and Paul Nicholls' Brave Kingdom are expected to add further excitement to the race.

When asked about his strategy, Pauling explained, "Both Henry's Friend and Bowtogreatness will not be competing against each other. They are both entered in the handicap and the Reynoldstown. While I believe both possess an advantage, Bowtogreatness's handicap experience makes it a strong contender for the handicap race. On the other hand, considering Henry's Friend's current stage of development, Reynoldstown might be a more suitable choice. I prefer not to have excessively soft ground for Henry's Friend, although the weather forecasts for Ascot indicate a likelihood of good to soft or soft ground. If conditions align accordingly, we will proceed with both entries and assess their performance on race day”.