Racecards
15:00 Newbury
Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 92y
- Going: Good (Good to Firm in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £70,000 added
- Winner: £39,865
- 2nd: £14,959
- 3rd: £7,490
- 4th: £3,731
- Form 12P-645
- Age 8
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 155
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey Charlie Deutsch
made all, joined but going best 3 out, in command next, kept up to work and came readily clear run-in, unchallenged
- Form 1251-12
- Age 9
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 170
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey H Cobden
raced keenly in close 3rd out wide, went 2nd 5 out, joined winner next, hung left and no impression 2 out, dropped to 3rd at the last
- Form 1PP-921
- Age 9
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer J Tizzard
- Jockey Brendan Powell
tracked winner until 5 out, went 2nd again at the last, ridden and stayed on same pace run-in, well held
- Form 2-42P11
- Age 9
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer P D Niven
- Jockey Danny McMenamin
held up in 4th, hit 5 out, jumped slowly and outpaced next, never involved
Verdict
GREANETEEN has at least 15lb in hand over his rivals according to official ratings. He had last year’s winner Funambule Sivola well behind when runner-up to Edwardstone in the Tingle Creek at Sandown last time and is even more effective on this quicker surface. Elixir De Nutz and Malystic only won handicaps last time while the novice Mortlach is facing a thankless task at the weights.
Formwatch
Funambule Sivola (FR) 66-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders on outside, mistake 6th (water), outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 20 3/4l behind Editeur Du Gite (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Greaneteen (FR) 2-1 (11-10) Close 3rd on inside, went 2nd at 3rd, led before 3 out, ridden and headed after next, soon outpaced and no chance with winner, mistake last, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Edwardstone (11-10) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Elixir De Nutz (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Led, headed briefly 13rd, soon led again, extending advantage when good jump 2 out, kept on well from last, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Jan beating Galahad Quest (11-0) by 8 1/2l, 6 ran.
Malystic 12-1 (12-0) Held up in mid-division, joined leaders going best after 3 out, soon led, kept on well flat, won at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) gd in Jan beating Saint Segal (11-1) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Mortlach 11-2 (11-12) Took keen hold, close up, not fluent 7th, ridden along after 3 out, ran on but no match for winner, last of 2, 11l behind Stage Star (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f (3) sft in Jan.