February 11 / 15.00 Newbury

15.00

Good

Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £39865
  • 2m 0f 92y
  • Class 1
  • 5 runners
ITV4
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Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00

Form: 2P-645 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
Yet to find his form this season, well held in the Clarence House most recently; smart on his day and won this race last year (good to soft) before finishing second in the Champion Chase; good ground is fine; 2-3 at Newbury and could well stage a revival back here; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

13th Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

15:30 Cheltenham

Funambule Sivola

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Outsider in this contest for the last two years, flattered when second in 2022 (race fell apart) and early faller in 2023; following Boothill's late fall, he inherited a remote second behind Edwardstone at Newbury last month when bidding for a third Game Spirit success; has the worst chance judged on this season's form.

100/1

2nd

3

10th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 1

14:40 Newbury

Funambule Sivola

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Has failed to threaten in handicaps on his four runs this season but was also below his best last term prior to a major revival when winning this race for the second consecutive year; four visits to Newbury have yielded three C&D wins (including on soft) and no surprise if he's bang there.

10/1

6th

1

27th Jan 2024

Good

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

11:50 Doncaster

Funambule Sivola

12st 0lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Landed this prize in 2022 and also has two subsequent Grade 2 chase wins on his CV; on the downgrade now but last month's Cheltenham third (2m, soft) was very respectable and today's faster ground will suit.

9/2

Form: PP-921 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Took well to first-time cheekpieces in Class 2 handicap at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) last month, making all for an easy win; seems to have a harder task in this field but may have more to offer in the retained headgear; Grade 1 winner over hurdles in his younger days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

27th Apr 2024

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Elixir De Nutz

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

10yo who has been better than ever this season; soft ground was against him in the Champion Chase and prior to that he beat Jonbon by a neck to win the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft); however, the runner-up was well below his best; others make greater appeal.

50/1

5

27th Apr 2024

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Elixir De Nutz

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

10yo who has been better than ever this season; soft ground was against him in the Champion Chase and prior to that he beat Jonbon by a neck to win the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft); however, the runner-up was well below his best; others make greater appeal.

50/1

5

13th Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

15:30 Cheltenham

Elixir De Nutz

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Often a front-runner; has won on soft but seems ideally suited by good/good to soft; rallied gamely to beat odds-on Jonbon in the rescheduled Clarence House here in January, making it three wins from his last four starts; however, looks far from sure to confirm placings with that otherwise superior rival who blew his chance with a dodgy round of jumping; in great form this term but needs better still to land a Champion Chase.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 251-12 D

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 170

Form & Verdict
Bagged a second Haldon Gold Cup success (good ground) on reappearance, then ran respectably behind Edwardstone when bidding for a second Tingle Creek win; only third in this race two years ago having had an identical preparation, but he's clear on ratings in this easier renewal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

29th Apr 2023

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

13:40 Sandown

Greaneteen

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Three-time Grade 1 winner over this C&D, including last two editions of this race; hasn't really sparkled since emphatic win at Exeter (2m1f, good; Grade 2 handicap) on seasonal debut in November but a bad jumping error probably cooked his goose in last month's Champion Chase and he can't be opposed with any confidence on his return to this track; handles slow ground but probably best on good/good to soft.

5/2

3rd

6

15th Mar 2023

Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

15:30 Cheltenham

Greaneteen

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, bad mistake and lost ground 4 out, well held but kept on from 2 out, pecked on landing last, pushed out and went modest third final 110yds

20/1

3rd

2

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 92y

Class 1

15:00 Newbury

Greaneteen

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Bagged a second Haldon Gold Cup success (good ground) on reappearance, then ran respectably behind Edwardstone when bidding for a second Tingle Creek win; only third in this race two years ago having had an identical preparation, but he's clear on ratings in this easier renewal.

4/9

Form: -42P11 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Seeking a hat-trick having won Class 2 handicaps at Wetherby (1m7f, soft; Castleford Chase) and Doncaster (2m, good; defied top weight) the last twice, taking record over fences to 4-11; this northern raider is better than ever and should give this bigger prize his best shot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

18:30 Kelso

Malystic

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Peter Niven

An 11yo now who isn't as good as he was and has predictably lost some of his old speed; hasn't been running badly in handicaps at about this trip but looks vulnerable.

8/1

2

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 2

15:13 Stratford

Malystic

11st 8lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Peter Niven

On a good mark but an 11yo now and has lost some of his old zip; ran okay at Uttoxeter last time but got outpaced when it mattered and was never threatening; what will help here is the likelihood of a good pace and some rain; respected.

10/1

4th

3

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 2

16:20 Uttoxeter

Malystic

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Peter Niven

An 11yo now and, in first-time cheekpieces, finished well behind at Ayr in a race he had done well in previously; this wouldn't be so demanding and his penultimate effort was quite encouraging; by no means ruled out.

14/1

Form: 222332 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Tough and consistent novice chaser; not disgraced behind a very useful rival in match race at Plumpton (2m3f) most recently, though proved no match for the winner; has bits of Grade 2 form but this is a harder task; bottom of this field on ratings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

28th Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 51y

Class 3

14:15 Catterick

Mortlach

11st 10lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Strike-rate of 5-12 over fences and was highly tried before making the most of a good opportunity at Newbury (2m handicap on good to firm); this looks another good piece of placing even with his penalties.

11/10

1st

1

19th Feb 2023

Good To Firm

2m 0f 92y

Class 2

14:00 Newbury

Mortlach

11st 9lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

pressed leader, not fluent 1st, briefly led before 4th, pushed along approaching last, led narrowly after 9th, ridden run-in, went clear final 110yds, kept on well

6/4

5

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 92y

Class 1

15:00 Newbury

Mortlach

11st 2lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

Tough and consistent novice chaser; not disgraced behind a very useful rival in match race at Plumpton (2m3f) most recently, though proved no match for the winner; has bits of Grade 2 form but this is a harder task; bottom of this field on ratings.

50/1

Non-runners

Mortlach

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £32.90
Straight Forecast £39.17
Trifecta £50.90

Selections

RP Ratings:

Greaneteen

SPOTLIGHT:

Funambule Sivola

The Star:

Funambule Sivola

TOPSPEED:

Greaneteen

POSTDATA:

Greaneteen

WEST COUNTRY:

Greaneteen

The Times:

Greaneteen

Telegraph:

Greaneteen

The Guardian:

Greaneteen

Daily Mail:

Greaneteen

D Express:

Greaneteen

Daily Mirror:

Greaneteen

The Sun:

Greaneteen

Daily Record:

Greaneteen