Finnians Rainbow

It would be a shame if the current champion chaser did not defend his title but with Sprinter Sacre looking invincible and being housed in the same stable one could forgive Henderson for giving the race a miss. I think the Ryanair would be a mistake as it takes a tough horse to win that and I still think Finian's Rainbow is a bit soft.

Nothing obvious for this fella at Cheltenham but the Melling Chase at Aintree would suit ideally and he would be looking for back to back victories in that race also. An obvious advantage he would have is that his potential rivals would be feeling the effects of their Cheltenham exertions whilst Finian's Rainbow would be going into the race fresh.

Thats as i thought,was not sure. Wait and see.Very helpfull all the same.
Cheers.

I'd say that his CC win against Sizing Europe shows that he has fight, and should go for the Ryanair.

Backed him both times last year,would like to do so again.I do think he finds a bit myself,but possibly more suited to Aintree.

Such a shame he's trained by Henderson, should be going for the Champion Chase again

I'm sure it was a mutual agreement with the owners

why forgive henderson..different owners ...so should be defending his two mile crown definitely

I never said they were the same owners. I'm saying that maybe Finians Rainbows owner wants to go the Ryanair anyway. His horse is a good one, and maybe he wants to give it a better chance of winning a race.

Queen mother champion running in the Ryanair,just aint right.
Let him defend his title imo

I'm sure I heard on the RUK half term report the panel suggesting that the owner of Finians Rainbow was not a fan of the Ryanair and it would be the CC or the Gold Cup if he makes the Festival.....I hope it's the CC

What problem do some people have with the Ryanair. It's a good race in it's own right, and many folk are more inclinded to remember a good finish, regardless of the title of the race. It was maybe the race of the festival last year.

yep,quiet agree.
Dont think it should include a QM champion though,just think he should be given the chance to defend,although i do recognise we have a serious challenger,nevertheless still think it just aint right.
Must be the romantic in me

It would be terrible if he didn't turn up at all.

As long as he gets good ground, I think he'd have to have a chance in whichever race he turns up in.

I didn't rate him last year, but his last two runs completely changed my mind, especially his Aintree run.  Yes, Aintree form can be dodgy, but the way he won was very impressive, especially as he smashed through the rails on the way to post.

I would say that the "bizarre" events that happened in last year's QMCC, benefited him a lot more than Sizing though (any yes I was a Sizing backer!)

I think he'll turn up in QMCC.  Buckley will not duck a fight with any horse imo, and if he wants his horse to run in the QMCC, then I'm sure that's exactly what will happen, no matter what Henderson tells him.

i am going over old ground here   and definatly pocket talking! but finians has plenty of stamina in his bloodlines,by tiraaz who won over 2 .2 furlongs in group company in france on the flat  and 2nd  group 1 2m5f  prix cadran at longchamp  and by a strong gale mare, stoutly bred , dont mean he will get the gold cup trip ,but got to be worth a try imo !

On good ground I'd agree with you Foyles.  I know nothing about Bloodlines, so will have to take your word on that.

He hated every second of his last run on heavy, but on good, I think he'd have a big chance in the Ryanair, a good chance in Gold Cup, and would be the best horse Sprinter would have come up against so far in the QMCC.

wellchief , earlier in season  they said that they are stepping him up in trip 3m plus  and if he sgets it the gold cup is a target , run a line thro his last run on bad ground, missed the king george and will go to newbury or ascot last i heard, ,wont be many classier than this one if he turns up!can jump and travel as well,if he gets the trip every chance of a massive run at massive odds  160 on here when i last looked .

Surely if hes going to the Gold Cup he needs a run over 3m first, running out of time to get that? Get him in the Champion Chase!

The only problem with the Ryanair is it's phucking name. If they called it the Intermediate Champion Chase noone would mind running in it.