jumped well in the main, led after 1st, reached for 4th, travelling easily when left well clear 3 out, unchallenged
led until after 1st, dropped to 3rd next, never travelled or jumped with any fluency after, outpaced 8th, weakened 10th, tailed off when left distant 2nd 3 out
chased winner 2nd, about 4 lengths down ridden and coming under pressure when blundered and fell 3 out
Only a mishap looks capable of disrupting FINIAN'S RAINBOW's preparations for the Arkle Chase. Nicky Henderson's novice, fifth in last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. was impressive when making all to beat subsequent Grade 2 winner Hells Bay by 12 lengths over C&D on his chasing debut in November and faces a straightforward task today. Babysitter has been up against decent novices in his two starts over fences so far but is undoubtedly suited by further so Tail Of The Bank, who made his reappearance in a Grade 2 over timber, may be the one for forecast backers if he jumps adequately over the larger obstacles for the first time.
Finian's Rainbow (IRE) 2-5fav (11-0) Made all, hit 4th, mistake 8th, drew readily clear between last 2, unextended, won at Newbury 2m 1f nov chs (3) gs in Nov beating Hell's Bay (11-4) by 12l, 3 ran.
Babysitter (IRE) 80-1 (10-11) Always behind, struggling in last pair 10th, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Ghizao (11-10) at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Tail of The Bank (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Close up on outside, lost place after 3 out, weakened after next, last of 12, well behind Karabak (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gs in Dec.
