Currently it is an ante-psot market with 11 entered runners, so three places are available. Come Saturday it may well be 2, though.

I am going to hold fire at the moment anyway. It is an obvious thing to say but any of the front 4 can win this race, for a variety of reasons.

Delighted they are finally running Wishfull Thinking over 2 miles. The worry is the jostle for the lead but I am hoping the others allow him it thinking they will pick him off for speed late on. If he does get in front his jumping could get them all at it in behind.

What ? Why do you say that ffs!

CheltFestNews CheltFestNews
Finian's Rainbow to bypass Tingle Creek for Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over Xmas. Not ready in time according to Henderson.

So on Tuesday lunchtime he's not going to be ready in time. You'd think this might have influenced the decision to declare him just over 24 hours earlie. Gotta love some of these trainers 

I understand where your coming from Dan. Just a shame he is not running imo.

I wonder if they have just bottled it tbh for an easier assignment as TT says. It is his seasonal debut afterall.

yep good point.

I suspect SE will settle just off the pace with the other two contesting it.

The race would have been a darn sight more interesting with FR,and i for one am gutted hes out,seeing as i am going on Saturday and want to see the best possible race.We all want to win our bets but not if it means the race gets diluted to achieve that.
Dont you agree AD??

i agree bud.

its always better to see all the best horses run. especially over 2 miles.

I think FR just wasnt right, and unfortunately they have done the right thing for the horse.

The Tingle will still make us tingle!.

If SE turns up anywhere near the form he was in march then we will tingle alright!!
I would have Gauvain in front of Tatanaino.

Hes in form,and on form with W Folly he beats Tataniano.
Hes not trained by Nicholls though!!

Potential fly in the ointment??

I do sort of agree Budd, however Finian's not going is massive for WT imo. If I had to choose one to be a NR it would have been him.

OK, chanced a back on WT eachway. He has an unsual profile for this race in that he has never won a graded chase over 2 miles, but given he is a front runner and doesn't seem to lack speed, this race may just suit him. I seem to recall Hobbs using the words ''stepping stone'' prior to his PP run aswell!

I just hope he can jump around Sandown, which is always a tough test.

Agree with view that NJH is bottling it with Finians. Also looks like he wont run Sprinter Sacre on Saturday either despite entering him for G1 novice. He is obviously a brillant trainer of hurdlers but his chasers dont seem to have same careers at all. Might be wrong perception but do a lot seem to get wrapped up in cotton wool as novices then fade away ?

No horses were permitted to travel on the Rosslare to Fishguard ferry, while the Dublin to Holyhead service was cancelled.


Henry de Bromhead, Irish racehorse trainer, sizing up travel options for Sandown raider

Many Irish-based horses, and their concerned trainers and lads, have crossed the Irish Sea in winter to take up engagements at major race meetings in Britain. Most have arrived safe and sound, but, if you listen to Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Saturday’s Tingle Creek Chase favourite Sizing Europe, you can take nothing for granted.

By J A McGrath telegraph.co.uk

On Tuesday, no horses were permitted to travel on the Rosslare to Fishguard ferry, while the Dublin to Holyhead service was cancelled. Inclement weather, and the resultant rough seas, have made the shipping of star racehorses a precarious business. “It’s a worry, of course it is,” De Bromhead said on Tuesday night.


“We are booked to sail in the morning [Wednesday], and with a bit of luck, we’ll be OK. But, if they don’t permit us to take the horses on board, we will have to wait for another ferry in the afternoon. We are hoping that the horses will arrive at Sandown and settle in later the same day,” he explained.


The trainer is bringing the talented novice hurdler Sizing Symphony, who runs in Friday’s Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown, as company for Sizing Europe, the reigning champion two-mile chaser. “I like my horses to have one full day in a new place before they race, which we should be able to do with Sizing Europe. On the other hand, ‘Symphony’ will be running the next day [after arrival],” he pointed out.


Meanwhile, De Bromhead was surprised to hear news that Finian’s Rainbow, the 3-1 second favourite for the Tingle Creek, is now to miss the race.


Trainer Nicky Henderson said: “He’s just not quite ready, and we might wait for the Desert Orchid [Chase] at Kempton.”


This has prompted a reshuffle at the top of the market, with Sizing Europe firming to 6-4 with leading firms, while the Paul Nicholls-trained Tataniano has come in to 3-1.

For a rival trainer, De Bromhead’s reaction was predictable. “It all helps, though I just have to get there,” he said. “Sizing Europe had a hard race at Down Royal but he seems to have come out of it well, and we’re hoping he runs well. He seems great in himself.”

Sizing Europe is also the 4-1 ante-post favourite to retain his crown in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March, though bookmakers have Big Zeb challenging him at the head of the market

Fcuking hell Nicky the season has started mate. About time you started getting a few ready.
Shame that Finians Rainbow is out because as a spectacle he was the most exciting addition to the race. WT wouldn't live with him up front. There aren't many 2 milers I can think of that can let alone a horse trying 2 miles for the first time. I would be with Sizing now or possibly Kauto Stone if it does rain. Tataniano looks a touch soft to me although he's a fantastic jumper. Guavain also looks to have his beating on all known form.

Cheers G1,have seen that now.Really hope he does run Saturday,but like you i fear he will run at Warwick.

Geraghty will surely be at Fairyhouse on Sunday so I cant see Sprinter Sacre at Warwick either unless AP will be free to ride.

Last year Finian's had two spins at Newbury in 3 runner races and 1 at Warwick in a 4 runner race before the Arkle. I suppose the NJH strategy - if thats what it is - leaves his horses fresh enough for Aintree and maybe Punchestown.