This year's Game Spirit had looked all about the Arkle favourite Sir Gino but may now present a good opportunity for last month's impressive Windsor handicap winner MATATA. The 2024 renewal was thoroughly dominated by Edwardstone but the improving Libberty Hunter may now represent the chief threat to the selection.[Steve Boow]
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Made all (unchallenged) in this race 12 months ago when only two of the four runners finished; faces stiffer opposition this time round and although consistent since, his level is known, whereas some of these rivals are still improving.
Couple of Grade 2 wins include a defeat of Matata at Lingfield but he is now worse off with that rival; creditable third in the Tingle Creek most recently; has developed into a very useful chaser but this looks difficult under 6lb penalty.
Second-season chaser who was a faller in the Tingle Creek and finished about 8l behind Libberty Hunter at Cheltenham last time; not weighted to reverse the placings and form has rather levelled off this term; opposed.
Very progressive over hurdles and landed the Fighting Fifth on reappearance; deeply impressive at Kempton (2m, good to soft; Grade 2) on the switch to fences, easily beating notable rival Ballyburn and recording a notably huge RPR for a chase debutant; exciting novice and still unbeaten; looks set to emulate Sprinter Sacre and Altior who both landed this prize for Nicky Henderson en route to the Arkle.
Registered a comfortable handicap success at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) in sole run this season; beat Matata, albeit on better terms, at that same venue last season; has something to find on ratings but is improving and could go well.
Solid and progressive in handicaps this term, producing form figures of 2121; impressively defied top weight at Windsor (2m, soft) most recently, recording a bare figure that makes him one of the main contenders on these terms; highly respected.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )