sectional timing Desert Orchid Chase v Wayward Lad Novice Chase

[Hexham VIP]

I have been meaning to put this up when I found time,

Finians Rainbow 3:46.54 (from jumping first fence to winning post, averaged over 2 timings)
Sprinter Sacre 3:40.01 (from jumping first fence to winning post, averaged over 2 timings)

Sprinter Sacre was 00:06.53 quicker but this difference is reflected in the RP timing

From landing at the third from home to the winning line (3 timings averaged)

Finians Rainbow
3 00:12.48
2 00:25.20
1 00:34.35
Total 01:12.03

Sprinter Sacre
3 00:11.52
2 00:24.38
1 00:34.60
Total 01:10.50

3 FB 0.96 slower
2 FB 0.82 slower
1 FB 0.25 faster
Total FB 1.53 slower

Visually these 2 races would give a different impression. Finians Rainbow was hard driven and Sprinter Sacre was on the bridle and coming in at an ok speed. So to the eye you would expect Finians Rainbow to be faster for all 3 furlongs.


I think this is a good example of showing the high cruising speed of Sprinter Sacre, It gets called names for not doing much under pressure but if it can go this fast does it need to?

Finian’s Rainbow is 2/1 favourite for the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot this month, If it wins that I think it will be a boost to Sprinter Sacre’s form. If time permits I will come back to the Wayward Lad to try and get a handle on Peddlers Cross.

I tried to compare Al Ferof’s race to Sizing Europes Tingle Creek but they used different fences at the start and finish.

[Spook]

It begs the obvious question about the differentials between the first circuit and the back straight. If Finians Rainbow has gone much faster earlier it would explain why he's come home slower, but with his final section being 0.25 secs quicker one is inclined to think this hasn't happened as its not symptomatic of a pace collapse, and in this case probably more likely to be a reflection on the proximity of Wishfull Thinking and Peddlers Cross respectively. In fact you'd probably have to time it up to the point where Finians Rainbow made his error as he was given time to regather himself and get organised again. If he's travelled slower up to that point though....?

I'm not sure whether you take this as evidence that Sprinter Sacre wins the Arkle or that Finians Rainbow can't win the 2 mile champion though