fell heavily 1st
chased leading pair, ridden approaching 3 out, soon held and no impression
made all, not fluent 6th, hit next, joined 3 out, left clear when rival made bad mistake 2 out, soon driven, all out
tracked winner, challenged 3 out, bad mistake and left rival clear 2 out, closed under pressure when not fluent last, stayed on, held flat
hampered 1st, held up in 5th off the pace after and not fluent, reminders after 7th, weakened well before 3 out
bad mistake, almost fell and rider lost irons briefly 1st, tailed off after
slightly hampered 1st, chased leaders, hit 5th, not fluent next, no impression 3 out, weakening when jumped left 2 out
After his superb run in the Arkle, FINIAN'S RAINBOW is impossible to oppose. Nicky Henderson's charge did just about everything right at Cheltenham on only his fourth start over fences and it wasn't until the closing stages that he gave way to Captain Chris. Ghizao, who is likely to be his chief market rival here, was beaten a long way in fifth and doesn't appear likely to turn the tables. Dan Breen, who was even further behind, has since easily won a little race at Uttoxeter but doesn't look up to this class. The useful hurdler Starluck won nicely at Huntingdon on his chasing bow but had his limitations exposed when beaten at long odds-on by Mamlook at Sandown.
Classic Fly (FR) 15-2 (11-12) Led until 2nd, chased leader until 5th, weakened before 7th, tailed off, 6th of 8, 42l behind Speedy Directa (10-2) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Mar.
Dan Breen (IRE) 4-9fav (11-5) Made all, mostly always clear, not fluent 4th, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gd beating What's Up Doc (11-5) by 11l, 5 ran.
Finian's Rainbow (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) With leaders on outside, led 8th, hard pressed 2 out, soon ridden, headed after last, kept on same pace under pressure flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Captain Chris (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Ghizao (GER) 4-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, headway to chase leading pair when blundered 4 out, ridden after next, kept on until one pace and no impression approaching last, 5th of 10, 29l behind Captain Chris (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Gilbarry (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, chased winner when blundered 9th, soon ridden, not fluent 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Dan Breen (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nov chs (4) gs in Dec.
Romanesco (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th 3 out, no extra and weakened, 7th of 9, well behind The Sneezer (10-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Jan.
Starluck (IRE) 2-5fav (11-4) Settled in 3rd, blundered badly and stumbled 8th, recovered and closed to dispute close 2nd 3 out, going well enough when challenged and blundered 2 out, weakened last, not recover, 3rd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Mamlook (11-1) at Sandown 2m nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
