Celebration Chase 2013

2.40 Sandown

bet365.com Celebration Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1)  (5YO plus)

Winner £56,950

Advice: 1 pt win Finian’s Rainbow (4/1 general)

Finian’s Rainbow: Hasn’t been half the horse that won Champion and Melling Chase this season but had his issues and testing ground of no use to him on seasonal debut or in Ascot Chase; Beaten long way at Aintree latest but that his first run on decent surface this season and no surprise if he can do better at this trip in much softer race; Gives 4lbs.

Dan Breen: Superb third in Ladbroke handicap two runs ago but get the feeling that he can’t be any better than his 19 length third to Sacntuaire in this last year.

French Opera: Won this in 2011 and been fine servant to Henderson stable, and another creditable effort when second to Wishfull Thinking two starts ago; Couldn’t carry the weights in his old age at Cheltenham latest and bit to find overall.

Oiseau De Nuit: 2^nd in 2010 and 4^th a year later behind French Opera; Having a renaissance of late, superb at Aintree when drawing well away after the last and winning by 5 lengths; That form gives him chance here despite advanced years and respected even if this is tougher.

Sanctuaire: Touted as the main rival to Sprinter Sacre after his 17 length all the way win in this last year, but same tactics (probably overdone) didn’t work for him in Tingle Creek; Disposed of sub par field in empathic fashion over Christmas and while he couldn’t raise candle to Sprinter Sacre the last twice, today’s a much different affair for him; One to beat on best form.

Sire De Grugy: One of the better novices this season, easy winner on debut at Kempton, and then second to Captain Conan; easy winner inbetween then but exposed in Aintree Grade 1 and harder to like after that.

Tanks For That: Always capable of a big effort in 2m handicap on good ground (second in the Grand Annual last year) but no answer towards Oiseau De Nuit at Aintree last time and impossible to fancy here.

Tataniano: looked to have a serious future when winning Maghull Novices Chase by wide margin, but then disappointed here and not reached the same form since.

Toubab: Talented novice last season but unable to raise a proper effort at Aintree latest and flying too high here.

Wishfull Thinking: Breathing problems halted him badly in last two years but successful on two of his four starts this term, impressive when giving 6lbs to French Opera in Game Sprit and then again when third in Champion Chase (neither him or Sanctuaire actually winning an award for trying that day); Chanc here.

VERDICT: FINIAN’S RAINBOW has been poor this season but the ground has been against him on two of those occasions and this is significantly less testing than the Melling Chase he was well beaten in last time. Giving 4lbs to Sancuatire and Whishfull Thinking will not be easy, but at his best he’s more than capable of doing so and is the value at the prices.