Tail Of The Bank

Tail Of The Bank put up a nice performance to finish second to Fine Parchment in a Grade 2 two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase at Newbury on Saturday. The son of Flemensfirth was racing out of novice company over fences for the first time here, but he travelled well for his rider Liam Heard, always towards the outside of runners and well back in the field. He made decent headway to get closer to the leaders down the back straight, and by the time they had reached the cross fence, the fifth last, he was in fourth place and travelling well. He came under pressure early in the straight, however, he jumped the fourth last slowly and his race seemed to be run when he jumped out to his right at the third last. However he got going soon after that, he jumped the last in third place, and then picked up on the run-in to run Fine Parchment to a half a length at the line.

Tail Of The Bank has put in some nice performances in his novice campaign over fences so far, he chased home Arkle favourite Finian’s Rainbow two runs ago when he finished third at Warwick, and he did well to turn over Nicky Henderson’s smart-looking Surfing at Chepstow on his last run before Saturday. There was a lot to like about this performance against much more experienced rivals, his first time up in trip over the larger obstacles, leaving the impression that he should be better over further again. He has a nice progressive profile now, this was just his fourth run over fences, and a 3lb hike is not harsh. He has won twice on really soft ground, but he handled this better ground well and he finished second in a good Newbury bumper on good ground on his racecourse debut. He would be of major interest now stepped up in trip again. The three-mile novices' handicap chase at Aintree could be the race for him.

5th March 2011

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