The Rainbow Hunter captures Sky Bet Chase
The Rainbow Hunter ground out victory for trainer Kim Bailey in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster.
Last Updated: 25/01/14 5:45pm
Kim Bailey's charge unseated his rider at the Canal Turn on the first circuit in the Aintree showpiece last year and connections would like to have another try.
All roads lead back to the Liverpool course after he took this three-mile handicap. Solix made the running until the second last where Nick Scholfield asked The Rainbow Hunter for his effort.
Although Baile Anrai tried to mount a challenge he was still a length and a half down at the line. Unioniste, the well-backed 11-4 favourite, was eight lengths away third.
Scholfield said: "I was a bit worried before racing as the ground was tacky, but the rain we've had earlier helped. He ran in the National last year and I suppose the owners will want to go there again."
That was confirmed by Kevin Clancy, of the winning May We Never Be Found Out Partnership.
He said: "He was unseated last year and we'd like to go there again."
Sky Bet's Michael Shinners said: "We have gone 33/1 The Rainbow Hunter for the Crabbie's Grand National and that was a cracking staying performance.
"He actually passed the post first in the famous Aintree contest 12 months ago - but without a jockey - so he could gain compensation this season. This race has been a good pointer in the past as horses have run well here and gone on to do well in the big one in April."