chased leaders in 3rd, ridden 4 out and soon dropped to rear, weakened and slight mistake 3 out, tailed off
led, clear early, reduced advantage halfway, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra in 2nd before 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leader in 2nd, slight mistake 8th, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra 3 out and slight mistake, soon no impression
held up in 4th, 3rd after 4 out, progress to lead entering straight, ridden after 2 out, kept on strongly from last, eased close home
The once brilliant Finian's Rainbow, three times a Grade 1 winner including the 2012 Champion Chase, has had massive problems and has his first start since 2013. It will be a tremendous training performance if Nicky Henderson has him right but he wouldn't have sent him here otherwise. Texas Jack just gets a penalty for his narrow Grade 2 victory over BAILY GREEN at Thurles in January of last year. He's continued to run well and is only 2lb worse off with Ger Fox' claim taken into account but the latter's close second to Felix Yonger in the Grade 1 Champion Chase at Punchestown is the best recent form on offer. Foildubh has run poorly in his last two starts and Letter Of Credit has a lot to find.
Texas Jack (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Led early, inclined to jump right, soon raced in 3rd, mistake 6th, pushed along after 3 out, chased winner from before last, no impression and kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Champagne Fever (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) in Feb.
Baily Green (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Led after 1st, joined after 7th, soon led again, pushed along straight and soon strongly pressed, kept on well run-in, headed close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Felix Yonger (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs G1 (1) in Apr.
Foildubh (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, ridden into 11th entering straight, no impression in 6th 2 out, kept on one pace from before last, 5th of 18, 19l behind Ballyadam Approach (9-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs in Apr.
Letter Of Credit (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Soon moderate 4th, slight mistake 5th, went 3rd at 11th, some headway into straight, not fluent 3 out and no impression, not fluent 2 out, kept on run-in, almost got 2nd place,, 3rd of 5, 16l behind On His Own (11-10) at Cork 3m chs Grade 3 (1) in Apr.
Finian's Rainbow (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, some headway on outside 12th, lost place 4 out, behind when pulled up before next, in a race won by Johns Spirit (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Nov '13, 20 ran.
