tracked leader, led 7th, hit next and soon headed, every chnace 3 out, 1 lengh down when went wrong after 2 out and pulled up
led until 7th, soon ridden, outpaced and no impression in 3rd 2 out, left 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
took keen hold, not always fluent, tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, soon led, shaken up when left clear after 2 out
tracked leaders, mistake 1st, outpaced and behind from 7th, left 3rd after 2 out, stayed on to press for 2nd close home, no chance with winner
FINIAN'S RAINBOW had already taken Tail Of The Bank's measure when the latter departed at Newbury last month. Re-opposing on slightly better terms here, Nicky Henderson's Arkle Chase hope should have few problems confirming the form and can complete his hat-trick over the larger obstacles. Stagecoach Pearl has won four of his eight starts over fences but Sue Smith's grey has been rested since beating Tara Royal at Haydock in November and will do well to win this on his return to action. Kilmurry took the notable scalp of Ghizao on his debut for Colin Tizzard in October but the positions were reversed at Cheltenham a month later and the six-year-old has been absent since - he might also just need this.
Kilmurry (IRE) 10-3 (11-8) Chased leading pair, pushed along after 9th, outpaced next, soon no chance, took modest 4th towards finish, 4th of 5, 23l behind Ghizao (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Stagecoach Pearl 7-2 (11-7) Led, mistake and headed 4 out, soon ridden, rallied to challenge 2 out, led again between last 2, 2 length advantage when left 6 lengths clear last, stayed on well flat, won at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov beating Tara Royal (11-5) by 15l, 8 ran.
Finian's Rainbow (IRE) 2-13fav (11-4) Jumped well in the main, led after 1st, reached for 4th, travelling easily when left well clear 3 out, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m 1f nov chs (3) sft in Jan beating Babysitter (10-12) by well, 3 ran.
Tail of The Bank (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair, headway to 3rd from 7th, went 2nd before last, stayed on well to lead final 150 yards, won at Chepstow 2m beg chase (4) sft beating Surfing (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
