3 minutes All five entries have a real chance of success and as we cast our eye over the equine quintet, we will bring the latest race odds, courtesy of race sponsors, Betfair
The Grade 2 Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase takes place this Saturday and despite attracting just five entries, this year’s renewal looks like a fascinating race. All five entries have a real chance of success and as we cast our eye over the equine quintet, we will bring the latest race odds, courtesy of race sponsors, Betfair.
Game Spirit Chase background
This Game Spirit Chase was established in 1953 and has held Grade 2 status since 1992. Contested over 2m and 13 fences, the race is open to horses aged five years and over. Since the turn of the century this race has been won by some top-quality types. Notable previous winners include Azertyuiop (2004 & 2005), Master Minded (2008 & 2010), Sprinter Sacre (2012) and three-time winner, Altior (2017, 2018 & 2020).
This year’s contest
Edwardstone is the one to beat on Saturday but in recent races he has not shown the same form that saw him land the Grade 1 Henry VIII, Arkle and Tingle Creek Chases between December 2021 and December 2022. Edwardstone was soundly beaten twice by Jonbon over the autumn before finishing 24 lengths adrift of Banbridge when 4/5 in the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton last month.
Funambule Sivola has won the race in each of the past two years and is back this year aiming to become the first horse to win three successive Game Spirit Chase renewals. Well-beaten on his most recent run in a handicap at Doncaster last month and another win in this company may be too much for him.
Two of Funambule Sivola’s rides over the autumn came at Ascot where he was soundly beaten by Boothill and it is the latter that has attracted plenty of support ahead of Saturday. Boothill was a worthy winner of two handicap chases at Ascot in November before falling in the Desert Orchid Handicap Chase at Kempton in December. Boothill certainly looks the one to beat here.
That Desert Orchid renewal at Kempton was subsequently won by Editeur Du Gite and the race winner will also be involved at Newbury. The Gary Moore-trained ten-year-old had the beating of Edwardstone twice last season and his below-par run at Cheltenham last time out can be excused given that he’d made a mistake at just the third fence.
The final entry on Saturday, Amarillo Sky, is the one that intrigues us the most. The Joe Tizzard-trained eight-year-old returned from a 216-day break to land a couple of competitive handicaps at Cheltenham and Newbury in November 2022. He then finished lame when fourth in the Clarence House Chase in January 2023 but he’s not been seen since. Are the Tizzard team just trying to get a run under his belt before tackling the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival or is he a real threat to the other four horses entered on Saturday?
Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase odds
- 6/4: Edwardstone
- 2/1: Boothill
- 9/2: Editeur Du Gite
- 8/1: Amarillo Sky
- 17/2: Funambule Sivola