Racing News: Bay makes jumps bow

Fingal Bay will make his chase debut at Chepstow.

Richard Johnson is excited about riding Fingal Bay in his debut over fences at Chepstow tomorrow...

One of last season`s leading novice hurdlers, rated 156p in that sphere by Timeform, Philip Hobbs' six-year-old won a Grade One at Newbury but was denied the chance to strut his stuff at the Cheltenham Festival by injury.

He did make it to Aintree and he looked likely to add another big race to his haul, but the effects of a bad mistake took their toll and he was worn down close home by Alan King`s Lovcen.

"He`s a very exciting horse and he was very good last year," said Johnson.

"We`ve always thought of him as a chaser and whatever he achieved over hurdles last year was going to be a bonus. The fact he was so good bodes well.

"He`s done everything we`ve asked of him at home, so now it`s time to go and do it on the track.

"It will be very soft ground but he likes that.

"It looks a good little race but it`s that time of year. Obviously we`d like him to win on the bridle, but he might not learn much doing that. You are unlikely to get an easy novice chase as there are so many good horses ready to run.

"There`s a long season ahead of us but hopefully he can make a winning start."

Fingal Bay is likely to have most to fear from the Paul Nicholls-trained Poungach, who was last seen finishing behind Big Buck's at Aintree.

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