Arkle the right choice as Captain pulls rank
Hobbs had pinned his colours to the Jewson Novices’ Chase a few weeks ago, which would have meant a clash with stablemate Wishfull Thinking, and it was not until last weekend that the Minehead trainer finally plumped for this contest.
However, the inexperienced seven-year-old, who only had the first run of his life 15 months ago, showed he had the requisite speed for the two-mile contest and his jumping held up under the sternest pressure.
Of all the horses going into the race, it was Finian’s Rainbow who was expected to crack on the jumping front, but Barry Geraghty got a great tune out of Nicky Henderson’s gorgeous-looking eight-year-old and by halfway he had taken over at the head of affairs from Dan Breen and Stagecoach Pearl.
He was going further clear at every fence and although coming down the hill the likes of Ghizao and Realt Dubh still appeared to have a chance, there was only Captain Chris who was gaining ground.
Favourite-backers knew their fate fairly early though as Medermit never looked like winning at any stage.
At the second-last Finian’s Rainbow still held a clear advantage but by then Richard Johnson was in full flow on Captain Chris, who joined the Henderson horse at the last before powering away for a two-and-three-quarter-length win, with the Noel Meade-trained Realt Dubh back in third.
“We’ve got it right now anyway! We’ve always thought he wanted two and a half miles and, to be fair, I still think he does,” said Hobbs.
“He was at work quite a long way from home but his jumping was mustard. He was a little bit right-handed, he’ll always do that.
“I really wasn’t sure beforehand, but Richard thought he’d cope. I suppose it just goes to prove the old adage that you need a two-and-a half-miler to win the Arkle.
“We were going to run them both in the Jewson and have two really good chances of winning one race but decided to split them up.
“My first thought about next year is the King George because he loves Kempton and he loves good ground.
“The breathing operation he had has made a big difference.
Johnson said: “He’s quite inexperienced and the first run of his life was only just over a year ago, but he’s improved all the time and this better ground was a big help.
“He’s such a trier as well and it was great of the owners to run him in this as they could have gone for the easier race (Jewson). He’d done nothing wrong and every race he’s run in has been a high-class race.”
Michael Buckley, owner of the runner-up, said: “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed.
“He jumped absolutely brilliantly and he’s run a wonderful, wonderful race. I’ve got no complaints. He just found one too good on the day.
“I think he will get further if he learns to settle better and I suppose the two-and-a-half-mile race at Aintree would be the only suitable one left for him this season.”
Paul Carberry, rider of Noel Meade’s Realt Dubh, added: “He missed one or two but apart from that he jumped great. He got a little tired at the end but the winner won well.”
Meade added: “I imagine he’ll go for the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse, although we have the option of Punchestown the following week.”
Medermit proved disappointing in fourth and trainer Alan King thought he perhaps should have gone for another race at the meeting.
“I think I’ve made a bit of a mess of it because I probably should have run him in the other race (Jewson Novices’ Chase),” he said.
“He was flat out all the way as they were going in top gear from the word go. I will consider Aintree and Punchestown, but it certainly won’t be two miles at Aintree.”
