February 10 / 14.40 Newbury

14.40

Soft

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

  • Prize money: £48407.5
  • 2m 0f 92y
  • Class 1
  • 5 runners
ITV
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Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.10

Form: 25-224 D BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 162

Form & Verdict
Failed to settle and soundly beaten when back up to 2m4f in Kempton Grade 2 last month; this two-time Grade 1 winner was previously a good second to Jonbon in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek at Sandown (1m7f, heavy) and holds leading claims if producing a performance of that ilk.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

14:55 Sandown

Edwardstone

11st 10lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Admirable veteran, albeit isn't quite the force of old and gained this season's win in substandard Grade 2 at Kempton (2m4f); also perhaps ideally suited by further than about 2m nowadays; beaten twice in this race.

33/1

3rd

1

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 219y

Class 2

14:35 Plumpton

Edwardstone

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

12yo whose career highlight came when winning the Tingle Creek in 2022; showed he retains considerable spark when winning Grade 2 at Kempton (2m4f, good) this January; he may prefer a longer trip than this nowadays but he's a leading player nevertheless now back in a handicap.

5/2

4th

3

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 13y

Class 1

15:35 Ascot

Edwardstone

11st 10lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Acts on any ground; formerly a high-class chaser at about 2m, best form when winning the 2022 Tingle Creek; seems better suited by further nowadays and, despite his advancing years, managed to land a Grade 2 prize over 2m4f at Kempton most recently; recapturing Grade 1 honours at the age of 12 is not completely implausible, as he's technically still unexposed at this sort of trip and his two main rivals are also veterans.

10/1

Form: 5-6636 CD BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
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.
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: 23-11F D BF

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 158

Form & Verdict
Won Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices' Chase at Kempton last season and improved form on first two starts this term to win handicaps at Ascot (2m1f, soft/good); just behind the leaders when falling five out in Grade 2 handicap at Kempton last time out and this progressive 9yo is firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Boothill

11st 9lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Ascot specialist who runs at Aintree for the first time; following wind surgery he ran okay when 13l eighth of 20 in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham (2m, good) last month, and he's another 4lb lower today; however, this 11yo is without a win since 2023 and needs to find something extra now in cheekpieces.

33/1

8th

6

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Boothill

11st 4lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Ascot specialist who ran really well when second to Jonbon in C&D Grade 2 (good) in November 2024; well handicapped on that form but this 11yo has struggled to get competitive this season; wind op needs to prompt a revival.

40/1

Form: 6/114- CD

Last run: 378 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 153

Form & Verdict
Absent since 9l fourth to Editeur De Gite last January in Grade 1 at Cheltenham (2m, soft); however, he finished lame and had impressed previously in handicaps at Cheltenham (2m, good) and over this C&D (good; has also won on soft here); could have a part to play if returning at top of his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

10th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 1

14:40 Newbury

Amarillo Sky

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Absent since 9l fourth to Editeur De Gite last January in Grade 1 at Cheltenham (2m, soft); however, he finished lame and had impressed previously in handicaps at Cheltenham (2m, good) and over this C&D (good; has also won on soft here); could have a part to play if returning at top of his game.

8/1

4th

1

28th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 62y

Class 1

13:20 Cheltenham

Amarillo Sky

11st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

jumped left on occasions, raced in second, ridden home turn, soon lost second, kept on but held from 2 out

66/1

1st

2

26th Nov 2022

Good

2m 0f 92y

Class 2

15:40 Newbury

Amarillo Sky

11st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Second-season chaser who made all at Cheltenham (2m, good) two weeks ago; won well over C&D in February then ran respectably in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival; looks the type to improve further; respected.

11/8

Form: 1F-242 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Filly

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Two handicap wins during last season's novice chase campaign and he's twice been a good second in 2m handicaps this term, most recently at Doncaster a fortnight ago; however, has to find something extra now back up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

2

16th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 50y

12:50 Navan

Calico

11st 12lb

J: Finn Brickley

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time winner including over hurdles in America 12 months ago, not long after opening her chase account at Galway; has been chasing lately; trainer appears to have stronger candidates.

12/1

15th

2

16th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 50y

12:50 Navan

Calico

11st 12lb

J: Finn Brickley

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time winner including over hurdles in America 12 months ago, not long after opening her chase account at Galway; has been chasing lately; trainer appears to have stronger candidates.

12/1

6th

1

1st Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 100y

14:40 Down Royal

Calico

12st 0lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time winner including over hurdles in America 12 months ago, not long after opening her chase account at Galway; out of her depth in a Grade 2 chase at Punchestown festival; had a run over hurdles before 12l second to The Banger Doyle on handicap debut at Cork.

7/2

Non-runners

Calico, Editeur Du Gite

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.90
Straight Forecast £8.50
Trifecta £8.50

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Edwardstone

SPOTLIGHT:

Boothill

D Express:

Amarillo Sky

Daily Mail:

Funambule Sivola

Telegraph:

Editeur Du Gite

WEST COUNTRY:

Boothill

The Guardian:

Boothill

Daily Mirror:

Boothill

The Sun:

Boothill

TOPSPEED:

Edwardstone

POSTDATA:

Edwardstone

The Times:

Edwardstone

The Star:

Edwardstone

Daily Record:

Edwardstone