1 The Rainbow Hunter 25/1
2 Baile Anrai 25/1
3 Unioniste 11/4F
15 ran Distances: 1½l, 8l, 2¾l
TIME 6m 23.30s (slow by 29.30s)

The Rainbow Hunter under Nick Scholfield impressively held off a late challenge from Baile Anrai and Harry Skelton to win the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster.

The Rainbow Hunter
© Racehorse Photos

The gruelling conditions on Town Moor turned the three-mile contest into a thorough test and The Rainbow Hunter was settled in the middle of the pack as Solix and Night In Milan vied for the early lead.

Solix was still at the head of affairs jumping three from the finish but Scholfield brought The Rainbow Hunter with a well-judged run at the second last fence and he stuck to the task to beat the staying-on Baile Anrai by a length and a half.

Favourite Unioniste was under the pump a long way out but stuck on encouragingly for third, with the game Solix clinging to fourth.

SkyBet '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 Sky Bet Chase 12 months ago - but without a jockey - so he has gained ample compensation this time around.

"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 at Aintree."

Sky Bet Chase (Listed Handicap)
(Formerly The Great Yorkshire Chase)
£75,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m, Class 1
15 ran
Going: Soft