Newbury preview: Tom Collins provides his tips on Game Spirit Chase day

The Cheltenham Festival is just four weeks away and final preparations ahead of the showpiece jumps meeting are in full swing. Last week's Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown flaunted the strengths of the Irish and, although the majority of the home challenge are now being freshened up after Christmas targets, Newbury's Game Spirit meeting on Saturday provides one of the final opportunities for top-level performers to shine. Tipster Tom Collins provides a race-by-race guide for the exciting card.

1.15 Newbury, 2m7½f handicap chase

Paul Nicholls’ struggle to send out winners since the start of January has been well-documented and a record of 1-37 in the last fortnight doesn’t offer much confidence for punters of Bravemansgame, who will be sent off favourite in the Newbury opener.

However, the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase winner completely overshadows his opponents on form and, despite giving over a stone away to all of his rivals, Bravemansgame, who will be ridden by stable jockey Harry Cobden, has to be the selection at short odds.

Unbeaten in three starts over fences, Bravemansgame’s class should tell on the interesting drop back into handicap company. Victory here would cement his claims for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and provide Nicholls with an overdue success.

Selection: Bravemansgame @ 1.92

1.50 Newbury, 3m handicap hurdle

Polish runs in this race for a second successive year as he tries to retain his crown for Fergal O’Brien and Paddy Brennan, and he has to be considered off last year’s winning mark. However, he’s well-found in the market and will need to take a notable step forward on what he’s done so far this season.

In a contest full of exposed and largely underwhelming types, The Brimming Water stands out for up-and-coming trainer Sam Drinkwater. A maiden hurdle winner in Ireland before being sold to current connections for £23,000 last March, The Brimming Water proved his talent by beating the now 142-rated Unexpected Party at Wetherby over Christmas and can be excused his Haydock defeat last time as he made a crucial mistake as the pace intensified. 

Open to plenty of improvement at this trip, The Brimming Water is expected to make his mark of 127 look extremely lenient.

Selection: The Brimming Water @ 4.4

2.25 Newbury, 2m7½f Denman Chase

I’ve already touched on the form of Paul Nicholls’ Ditcheat team in this column and that will be enough to put plenty of people off Clan Des Obeaux in this year’s renewal of the Grade 2 Denman Chase.

But the four-time Grade 1-winner has 6lb in hand of his nearest rival, Royale Pagaille, on ratings and won’t need to run up to his best to justify favouritism, especially if his aforementioned foe is still feeling the affects of a prolonged duel in the Peter Marsh Chase three weeks ago.

Clan Des Obeaux was denied by stablemate Secret Investor in this race last year, but a reproduction of that form would be more than good enough on forecast quick ground.

Selection: Clan Des Obeaux @ 2.14

3.00 Newbury, 2m Game Spirit Chase

Another race, another small field at Newbury. Only four horses will line up in this year’s Game Spirit Chase following the defection of prolific winner Editeur Du Gite on Thursday lunchtime, but there’s still an enticing market on offer with no standout performer on paper. 

Funambule Sivola, who is yet to prove himself at this level, and the unexposed Hitman could set the early pace. You can make a strong case for both as they tackle older rivals, but they’ll have to improve to beat formsetter Sceau Royal, who beat Champ in this race last year.

Sceau Royal clearing the last fence in the 2021 Game Spirit Chase. Alan Crowhurst

Now a ten-year-old, you could expect a slight downturn in form for Sceau Royal, but he proved earlier this season that he still retains all of his ability. Put a line through his Cheltenham performance when a heavy schedule caught up with him and he’s by far the safest play in the Newbury feature.

Selection: Sceau Royal @ 2.98

3.35 Newbury, 2m handicap hurdle

Soaring Glory fairly dotted up in this race last year off a lenient mark of 133 and is back for another crack off 14lb higher. Perhaps runner-up Fifty Ball can reverse that form for Gary Moore, although the quick conditions won’t play to his strengths.

Novice hurdlers have a great record and Taunton winner JPR One and Kempton scorer Broomfield Burg are feared, but marginal preference is for the Harry Fry-trained Boothill, who may be overlooked in the market despite offering plenty of upside.

Considered one of the most exciting young hurdlers around this time last year, Boothill is yet to progress so far this season, but perhaps the move to go chasing so soon backfired in the autumn. Able to compete off an attractive mark of 135 and fitted with a first-time tongue-tie, this lightly raced seven-year-old appears the value play in a red-hot event.

Selection: Boothill @ 9.4

4.10 Newbury, 2m novices’ hurdle

Form horses Sonigino and Great Heart’Jac may dominate the market with smart Flat recruit King Ottokar, who has more than enough ability to win a race of this nature (providing he can jump) but would prefer softer ground. 

However, I was impressed with Surtitle’s performance to take second in a bumper at this track just over three months ago and, although the first five home finished in a bunch, it looked a relatively strong race.

Extreme hold-up tactics will likely be employed again, so a fast early gallop will play into Surtitle’s hands and he could cause a minor shock under Paddy Brennan.

Selection: Surtitle @ 9.8

4.45 Newbury, 2m bumper

A vast array of horses have won this Listed bumper in recent years - Flat recruit Ocean Wind scored in 2020 but subsequent four-milers Shutthefrontdoor (2012) and Definitly Red (2014) also feature on the roll of honour.

When it comes to bumpers I like to back horses who are bred for speed and trained with these races in mind, rather than being long-term chasing prospects, so Authorised Speed has to be the selection for Gary and Josh Moore.

Unfortunate not to make a winning debut at Market Rasen when short of room at a crucial stage, Authorised Speed filled the same berth in a red-hot bumper at Ascot on his second start before fairly bolting up at this track 24 days ago. A son of Derby winner Authorised, this looks to have been the plan all along.

Selection: Authorised Speed @ 3.9

Recommended bets:

Bravemansgame @ 1.92
The Brimming Water @ 4.4
Clan Des Obeaux @ 2.14
Sceau Royal @ 2.98
Boothill @ 9.4
Surtitle @ 9.8
Authorised Speed @ 3.9