Horse racing: Finian’s Rainbow put on red alert at Ascot

Finian’s Rainbow, runner up in last year’s Arkle, won on his belated seasonal debut at Kempton, despite making a very bad blunder at the fourth-last. Wishfull Thinking hit the same fence, although not as seriously, and Finian’s Rainbow needed to be at his best to rally and get back in front on the line.

That was a much better effort than Wishfull Thinking’s two previous runs this season and both owner Michael Buckley and jockey Barry Geraghty feel it will be him, rather than Paul Nicholls’ Al Ferof, who could give the favourite most to do.

Buckley said: “Wishfull Thinking could be the danger if he’s back to his very best.” Geraghty agreed: “I think Wishfull Thinking, who has been ignored in the betting, ran a belting race at Kempton as he also made a mistake four out. He’s a high-class novice from last year. It’s not a walk in the park.”

Having been beaten less than a length by Finian’s Rainbow at Kempton, Wishfull Thinking’s rider Richard Johnson expects his mount to be close to that rival once again this weekend.

“It’s a very good race tomorrow and we’re going to find out where we stand,” said Johnson. “There was not an awful lot between him and Finian’s Rainbow at Kempton and I’d expect to be close to him again. I think we go there with a very good chance.”

Nicholls, though, does not see any negatives in running the novice Al Ferof against his elders and feels it will set him up nicely for Cheltenham, whether that is in the Arkle or the Champion Chase. “He schooled well on Wednesday morning and his jumping is really good now. From being really novicey over hurdles, he jumps fences great,” said Nicholls.

“He’s had a little break since his last run and I’m very happy with him. It’s a good race. Finian’s Rainbow is obviously very good, they say he’ll come on for his last run, Somersby, Wishfull Thinking, they’re all good horses and we are putting our toe in the water a bit.”

Meanwhile, Andy Stewart is jetting in from Barbados to watch Tatenen attempt to repeat last year’s victory in the BetVictor.com Handicap Chase.

The enthusiastic owner flies home to the United Kingdom after spending time at his holiday retreat in the Caribbean, and is looking forward to seeing the Richard Rowe-trained gelding in action. Tatenen spreadeagled the field 12 months ago, galloping 16 lengths clear of I’m A Legend, who led the chasing pack.