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Henry’s Friend provided Ben Pauling and jockey Ben Jones with an opening double when landing the Grade 2 Sodexo Live! Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

The progressive son of Shirocco made it three wins from four outings over fences when battling on bravely to fend off a late charge from Kilbeg Kid in the closing stages.

Brave Kingdom took the field of five along in the early stages but jumping blemishes soon put paid to his chances. Lucinda Russell's Apple Away warmed to her task in the jumping department and the 15/8 market leader looked to hold every chance turning for home, but as Derek Fox began to quicken the tempo it soon became apparent those in behind were also going to have a major say in the proceedings of the Grade 2 prize.

Kilbeg King, Henry's Friend, and The King Of Ryhope all travelled well in the leader's slipstream and while the latter of the trio appeared to be going best approaching the final fence, a mistake would prove costly and it would be Henry's Friend (13/2) who would find plenty for pressure in the closing stages to score by a diminishing head from Kilbeg King, completing doubles for trainer Ben Pauling and jockey Ben Jones.

Paddy Power cut the winner from 50/1 to 10/1 for the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next month, although Pauling suggested a trip to Prestbury Park looks unlikely at this stage.

"He didn't jump well enough early doors and it was fortunate for him they didn't go much of a gallop,": Pauling said.

"I thought they would go a right gallop and if they had done, he wouldn't have been in it. But he was brave from the back of the last and his jumping got better, and he keeps improving.

"I thought he was well handicapped, but I just thought he would be better off in a smaller field. I'm thrilled because he had to improve, and he has.

"He wants every yard (of three miles) and he will be a lovely staying chaser in time. Stamina would never be a worry for me with this lad.

"He's got an entry at Cheltenham in the amateur chase, but I doubt he wants to go there after that – that looked a bit of a ding-dong and to go there so quickly might be stupid.

"We might look at Aintree for him or something like that, but I think that will do for now."