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

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 4m 5.18s

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Selected odds by:

Greaneteen⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 161| D

4/1

Stylish winner on return in Exeter's Haldon Gold Cup and raised game further when second to Politologue in Tingle Creek at Sandown in December. More needed again but that's not out of the question.

Form: 1114-12

Champ³⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 165| C| DWS

5/1

Quickly developed into top-class chaser last term, producing remarkable late surge to land 3m RSA Chase at Cheltenham. Since had wind op and doubts about how effective he will prove back at 2m here.

Form: 21/11F1-

Dolos^t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 159| BF| D

15/2

Very smart handicap chaser who ran up to best when runner-up at Sandown last time in a race he was bidding to win for a third time. Respected but has made limited impact in graded company previously.

Form: 714-442

Fanion D'estruval²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 157| CD

10/3

C&D winner who has yet to score this term but arrives on back of good fourth to First Flow in Clarence House Chase at Ascot last month. This demands a career best, however.

Form: 115-2F4

Magic Saint^t⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryan Carver| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 158| CD

7/1

Has taken his form to new heights since dropping back to 2m, beating Fanion d’Estruval in Cheltenham handicap and good fourth there in December when made effort earlier than ideal. Worth his place.

Form: 17-6144

Sceau Royal⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: A King| OR: 163| D

3/1

Very smart hurdler/chaser who was runner-up to Altior in this 12 months ago. Fell early back over fences at Kempton last time but bold showing is on cards in receipt of weight from his big rivals.

Form: 5-1124F

Forecasts

Sceau Royal (3/1), Fanion D'estruval (10/3), Greaneteen (4/1), Champ (5/1), Magic Saint (7/1), Dolos (15/2)

SCEAU ROYAL is favoured by these weights and with no Altior in opposition this time is taken to go one better than last year and add to his two smart hurdling wins earlier this season. Greaneteen is an emerging force among the best two-milers so is much respected on the back of his Tingle Creek second, with his stable companion Magic Saint appealing as the pick of the remainder.