The Game Spirit Chase runs on Friday at Newbury. It’s another rescheduled race from last Saturday and has seven horses running this time. Just like the AON Chase, there are a few changes but the Nicky Henderson-trained French Opera heads up the odds with Tchico Polos.
Henderson’s stable has been doing quite well, but French Opera didn’t run well in the 32 Red Handicap Chase at Sandown last month. Carrying a big weight, he struggled after only two fences and finished well behind Cornas who he will face again on Friday. The eight year old had a great season last year.
As you might expect, champion trainer Paul Nicholls has a very good record at the Game Spirit, which is viewed as a major trail for the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Nicholls has won five of the last seven Game Spirits. Tchico Polos is his prize horse this time around, which won the Grade 2 Haldon Trophy at Exeter. The 7 year old hasn’t done much since but came in second to Cornas in the 32 Red Handicap Chase.
Nicholls also has Take The Breeze running. The eight year old came in fourth in the Totesport Masters Handicap Chase two weeks ago but should run well on the soft ground at Newbury. Cornas is third in the betting. Nick Williams is trying to prove his nine-year-old trained horse is worth a place bet at the Cheltenham Festival with this race. For the rest of the field, Sports Line finished fourth in the Ryanair Novice Chase in November and came in 11th at last year’ s Arkle. Imsingingtheblues and Oiseau de Nuit complete what looks to be a tight race at Newbury.
Game Spirit Chase Outright Odds (provided by William Hill)
French Opera: 3/1
Tchico Polos: 3/1
Cornas: 9/2
Sports Line: 11/2
Imsingingtheblues: 13/2
Take The Breeze: 8/1
Oiseau de Nuit: 20/1