The Rainbow Hunter

Put up here after he finished second to the very well handicapped Sona Sasta at Newbury on his previous run, clear of the remainder, The Rainbow Hunter improved on that effort to run a very good race at Sandown last Friday in a Class 3 0-135 Handicap Chase over the extended three miles. He looked all over the winner turning in and right the way up the home straight only to get caught right on the line by the strong finishing Qhilimar.

Andy Turnell’s gelding hit a couple of fences when he didn’t have much room in the early stages but he warmed to his task and jumped really well down the back straight for the final time. He was travelling by far the best going over the Pond fence, and he jumped that so well that he scooted up the inside to take it up on the run to the second last. That was probably too early; he didn’t appear to want to do much in front and was just mugged by Qhilimar, who had traded at 80 in-running, in the very last stride.

This was another very good effort from The Rainbow Hunter. He travelled smoothly into the contest after I’moncloudnine and Fit To Drive had ensured the race was run at a testing clip from the outset, and in the end he ultimately just got outstayed on sticky ground by a horse who gets further than this and who could now be Midlands National bound. I’moncloudnine could not go with the front three after the Pond fence and Buffalo Bob, having travelled pretty well, was left behind on the run out of the back straight. Also, it didn't help that he found himself in front so far out.

The Rainbow Hunter has been put up another 4lb for this run but is clearly on excellent terms with himself at the moment and interestingly is in three different handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival. He will be of most interest if he manages to get into the three mile chase on the Tuesday (the old William Hill Trophy) as he does get three miles well. He is unproven on an undulating track, and it may be that he will be better suited to Aintree (his best runs have been at Sandown, Newbury and Ffos Las), but he is only seven, he has raced just five times over fences in his life, he has huge scope for progression and he will be of interest wherever he goes next.

18th February 2011

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