Nicholls novice aiming to continue love affair with track

1.50 Ascot
Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices' Chase | 2m7f180yds | Grade 2 | ITV4 and RUK

Arpege D'Alene bids to make it three wins from three starts at Ascot in a race that may lack the class of some of its predecessors.

Paul Nicholls' seven-year-old has won only one of his four starts over fences, but he ran well in a strong handicap at Cheltenham last time and looks likely to start favourite.

Although his previous Ascot wins were both over hurdles, he took the notable scalp of Tea For Two on the second occasion and Nicholls is sweet on his chance.

He said: "He likes Ascot and has good form there. He stays well and he'll be going for the four-miler at Cheltenham after this. I think he's got a great chance."

Bigbadjohn has to put a disappointing effort last time behind him, but trainer Rebecca Curtis has an explanation for that poor run.

She said: "He was found to have a fibrillating heart at Doncaster. We gave him an ECG the next day and couldn't find anything wrong, so hopefully that was a freak one-off. He's better on better ground and is in great form at home."

Label Des Obeaux makes a quick reappearance after winning at Ludlow last week. Trainer Alan King hopes that comfortable success in lesser company will help build his confidence.

King said: "Our fellow loves cut in the ground and, although the forecast is dry, the going will still be soft which will suit him."

With a mark of 141, Laurium is hardly one of Nicky Henderson's star novices, yet he is by no means out of it.

Henderson said: "He'd prefer better ground but he's all right at the weights and has been doing everything okay, so it's worth having a crack at what looks an open race."

The field is completed by Fletchers Flyer, who had a full campaign over fences last season but has raced only once since winning at Punchestown in April, and Flintham, who is a likely outsider.

Flintham's trainer Mark Bradstock said: "We won this with his brother Carruthers and he jumped brilliantly at Chepstow until he just got a bit tired going to two out after having been off a long time. We were delighted with him and he's in great order."