Finian's Rainbow wins Champion Chase at Cheltenham
March 14, 2012CHELTENHAM, England (AP) - Finian's Rainbow won an eventful running of the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival.
The horses were forced to run around the final fence of the 2-mile race after front-runner Wishfull Thinking fell into spectators on a previous circuit and Finian's Rainbow took advantage, forcing favorite Sizing Europe to slow slightly on a tighter line.
A 4-1 shot, Finian's Rainbow was the third grade one winner of the day for trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Barry Geraghty.
Kauto Stone, half brother to Gold Cup great Kauto Star, crashed out at the first hurdle obstacle.
Sizing Europe was second and 13-2 shot Big Zeb finished 15 lengths back in third place.