Hobbs hopes rain doesn't scupper Captain's chances

DAY THREE PREVIEW:DAVY RUSSELL will continue his pursuit of the injured Paul Townend in the jockeys championship, with Cruising Katie one of five scheduled rides for the Corkman today in the Ryanair Novice Chase.

However, Richard Johnson, a man who knows all about finishing runner-up in the jockeys table, can emerge best in the Grade One feature on board Captain Chris.

Johnson, with over 2,200 winners to his credit, has endured the frustration of finishing second to Tony McCoy in the British jockeys championship a remarkable 13 times.

However, the Englishman remains a top rider and Captain Chris provided him with another Cheltenham festival victory in March in the Arkle Trophy.

The Philip Hobbs-trained star had no problem dropping back in trip to two miles and was a decisive winner over Finian’s Rainbow and Realt Dubh, who reopposes today. Noel Meade’s runner has enjoyed a triple-Grade One winning season but looked fortunate to win the Powers Gold Cup 11 days ago when Noble Prince fell at the second last.

Finian’s Rainbow gave the Arkle form a major boost in Liverpool and Hobbs’s major worry yesterday was an ominous overnight weather forecast.

“I hope he has a very good chance, but I just hope the rain that they have forecast doesn’t arrive. That would be the thing that would be against him. He’s been in very good form since Cheltenham,” he said.

Russell’s hopes of a first title were rekindled yesterday with confirmation that Townend had re-fractured a collarbone in a fall here on Tuesday.

But he appears to face a major task in getting on the score-sheet today, with the Kerry National winner Alfa Beat reverting to the smaller obstacles for the three mile handicap hurdle after falling in the Topham last time.

Willie Mullins has declared six for this race, with Ruby Walsh on board Sir Vincent, who endured an unlucky passage when beaten by Baracas at Fairyhouse last week. Walsh had the look of a frustrated jockey afterwards and there will be plenty betting he will get compensation now.

A value alternative, however, could be Kaiser So Say, who was fifth in that Fairyhouse event, his first race in over six months, and he should have sharpened up for that effort.

Just 10 line up for the marathon La Touche Cup over the banks and the veteran Garde Champetre looks to have got another big-race opportunity, while Prince Of Pirates can score for Nicky Henderson in the opener.

Henderson fires three at the concluding bumper and Sizing India looks the best of them on the back of an easy win at Ludlow in late March.