Finian's Rainbow was sent off the 2-5 favourite on his chase debut. He was last seen finishing fifthin the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but demonstrated plenty of aptitude for the larger obstacles with a generally decent round of jumping.

Stan James left Finian's Rainbow unchanged at 14-1 for the Arkle Chase, which appears to be the target, as  winning trainer Nicky Henderson said: "It's almost certain we will stay at two miles, the Arkle is there. I hope he's top class.
Nicky Henderson: possibly top class

 
PICTURE: Getty Images
 

"He was pretty tidy for a very big horse and put in some spectacular jumps."


With only three runners in attendance, tactics looked like playing a key part in the race, and Geraghty took the initiative, setting off at a decent pace, and encouraging the seven-year-old to attack his fences, which he did with gusto, particularly at the water jump.

Noel Fehily asked Sang Bleu to keep close tabs on the leader, with Hell's Bay detached in third.

At the fourth and then again six out Finian's Rainbow was slightly untidy as befitting a novice, but Geraghty never surrendered the lead and it was Fehily who cracked first, beginning to push at his mount rounding the final turn.

The Paul Nicholls-trained runner was unable to put up a challenge down the home straight, weakening at three out, which left Hell's Bay in pursuit.

However despite closing down to within three lengths of Finian's Rainbow, Sam Twiston-Davies was unable to land a blow, and Geraghty extended his lead comfortably at the finish.

i don't think the top stables will be too interested in the 2.4 mile race with their horses, cheltenham winner maybe, but why run the likes of finian's rainbow and royal charm in that when they have a decent chance of winning the arkle itself....easier or not.

i think stables with perhaps less classy types will be attracted to avoid the bigger guns.....the like of golan way will be turning up in this race.

I loved that...he just got better and last 2 fences were superb. Granted not many runners but ran within himself in a very goods time....33/1 get in

Flat track horse and, although very good, not top class. Spirit River rated 10lbs higher over hurdles and still unexposed whereas Finian's Rainbow showed how good he was over hurdles but may be better chaser. Still think Spirit River will go for the Arkle.

very impressive horse  the way he was attacking his fences was brillant to watch hes so powerful .adrain maguire reckons hes the next denman

Really Dananders ?

After he's just beaten your big tip for the top out of sight ?

^
Nothing like Denman very different this is a speedy horse. I was very impressed with the attacking style at his fences to say it was his first run. Has lots of potential over fences and imo 2 miles is going to be his optimum. I can't seeing him being outpaced that's for sure.

why not the Arkle??

bolt sang bleu is a complete baby and will be seen to best effect in 2 years time over 3 miles . i havent even seen the race hut i dont wanna see it as i dont take much interest in henderson horses. im very biased towards paul nicholls i admit

Arkle often won by a horse who stays further, as are a lot of the races at the festival due to the very fast pace they're run at. Spirit River won over 2 miles at Cheltenham last December and was travelling very well in the Tote Gold Trophy when he made a mistake 3 out I think. His rating over hurdles (where he was not exposed) makes me think he could have been a top class horse over the smaller obstacles.

Quite a few recent Arkle winners have been suited by further than 2 niles. Tidal Bay, Sizing Europe a couple who spring to mind but Kicking King and War of Attrition were 2 Gold Cup winners who went the Arkle route. I remember Alan King being interviewed after Voy Por Ustedes won the race and saying that he'd won it by staying rather than speed. He also trained another Arkle winner (whose name I forget) who won a World Hurdle.

That'd be My Way De Solzen, Booster. A real shame how his career spiralled into nothingness after his awesome Arkle win, was such a lovely jumper of a fence.

Lot to like about his run today. Makes me wonder how good the four who finished in front of him in the Baring Bingh last season might be as they move into open company.

I think Booster might have a point about the horse being better suited to a flat track. Thought he looked a lot better coordinated today than at times last season. Perhaps the flat track helped in that respect, but it could also be that he is filling out his frame more now and just less gangly. You need a well coordinated, well balanced horse to cope well with Cheltenham's undulations. That was one reservation I had about the horse for the Arkle before he ran today, but now I'll need to rethink that.

agreed^

The track is the only real doubt at this stage - he's only run once at Cheltenham and ran ok until tiring up the straight. In fact his Ballymore (or whatever it's called these days) run was actually similar to Forpadytheplasterer when he finished 4th and he won the following seaosns Arkle so hopefully lightning can strike twice

I take all your points and they all have merit but I'll take the 152 rated improver with festival form over the exposed 142 rated exposed horse on this occasion. Mind you, he'll have to jump better than today, long time until March though.

Booster calling Finians Rainbow exposed....lol!

not worried at all about finians running well at cheltenham, he ran very well in the neptune and travelled like the best horse in the race through much of the race (better than peddlers) he got outstayed at the end that's all.

i backed him for the arkle, hoping that he'd be able to translate that ability to travel in a 2 mile chase, i was concerned earlier in the season that connections were talking about distances over further than 2 miles, thankfully they seem to have come to their senses spirit river probably helps with that decision.

he'll be even better when he hasn't got to do his own donkey work and can sit and pounce.

FWIW, i dont either could in any way be described as being 'exposed' - the very idea that this trainer exposes any of his novices (FR) is misplaced IMO and SR was only given 4 runs (1 when not ready to win, 1 when making an error when running a stormer in the Totesport). Neither are exposed.

I'll have to disagree and for me he was exposed as not top class over hurdles but he could be better over fences.