Amlin 1965 Chase 2012

2.10 Ascot

Amlin 1965 Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £28,475

Advice: 1 pt win Captain Chris (4/1 general)

Finian’s Rainbow: Really came of age as second season chaser last year, building on novice campaign with three wins from 4, including Champion and Melling Chases at Cheltenham and Aintree (particularly impressive in latter); Won first time out for the last three years so that not an issue, and must take the beating even giving weight away.

For Non Stop: Made into a classy novice chaser last season, notably when pushing Al Ferof all the way in Sandown Grade 2 Novice Chase although Scilly Isles win also worked out well and Cheltenham Festival third is strong; Sensational on return in Old Roan Chase when winning by 23 lengths, albeit getting a stone from Wishfull Thinking (leaves him closely matched with Finian’s Rainbow) in race which worked out to a tee for him; Should still go very well.

Ghizao: Twice beat Captain Chris with some ease in novice chasing days and only really disappointed in the Arkle (better when chasing home Finian’s Rainbow at Aintree); Never reached same form last year but if retaining as much of his ability as his easy graduation chase win (had literally nothing to beat after Kumbeshwar fell) suggests, he can play his part.

Quincy Des Pictons: Much improved last year, landing a hat trick of 2 & 1/2 mile handicap chases by a combined total of 41 lengths; Did look exposed when only seventh in handicap chase at the Festival;

Captain Chris: Didn’t reapeat successes of novice season last year but ran creditably on all but one occasion, having unseated at last when set to win Haldon Gold Cup, and then being held up by training problems before King George third, which was very creditable given that he was likely to have needed the run; Argento Chase win a blowout but Ryanair form as good as any form here and getting 10lbs from Finian’s Rainbow and 6 from For Non Stop, must have a cracking chance.

VERDICT: A classy renewal with three horses who could all be called Ryanair Chase contenders in their own right, two of them Grade 1 winners. Finian’s Rainbow is the best of them by some way based on his Melling and Champion Chase wins but he’s closely matched with Old Roan Chase winner For Non Stop based on a line through Wishfull Thinking, and Nick Williams’s chaser is a real threat getting 4lbs from Finian’s Rainbow. So too is CAPTAIN CHRIS, who gets 10lbs from Nicky Henderson’s charge and 6lbs from For Non Stop, which makes him hugely well in on his Ryanair fourth.