BETFAIR Game Spirit Chase Day was never going to be one for flamboyant performances with Heavy (Soft) going advertised.
The Official BHA Formbook speed figure scale is used below where (117) represents Grade 1 Par, each step down the class ladder equals a drop of two points (two lengths per mile), and (100) equals a standard (median) figure. Speed figures are inserted after the horse’s name.
SHISHKIN (115) got his season back on track after an unlucky unseat in the King George. The odds-on Denman Chase winner confirmed Official Ratings finishing four and a quarter-lengths clear of Hitman (113). His jumping was less than fluent on ground he didn’t like, but looks to be racing with zest again following his refusal to race at Ascot.
A ridden out final two-furlong sectional of 29.98secs (Total Performance Data) proved too much for the runner-up. An unchanged 7/1 for the Gold Cup, it will be interesting to see if he can outstay Galopin Des Champs.
The runner-up travelled nicely into the race before being outstayed. A drop back in trip for next month’s Ryanair should suit better.
Improved Edwardstone makes all for Game win
A CHANGE of tactics saw 11/10 favourite Edwardstone (110) make all in the Game Spirit Chase by 40 lengths, after the fall of Boothill two out.
The winner cruised home untouched in a final two furlong sectional of 29.60secs.
Cut from 14/1 into 8/1 for next month’s Champion Chase, similar tactics may prove difficult to employ. An intriguing test of jumping awaits against El Fabiolo and Jonbon. Alan King seems much happier now with the form of his stable since returning to previous training methods.
Iberico Lords it on heavy
IBERICO Lord (113) gave Nico de Boinville and Nicky Henderson a double on the day when taking the Grade 3 Betfair Handicap Hurdle by wo and a quarter-lengths from L’Eau Du Sud (111), bouncing back from a below par effort on faster ground at Ascot.
He looks one to reserve his best for softer conditions. Held up out the back, off a strong pace, he made headway on the inside before leading inside the final furlong. A final two-furlong sectional of 28.24secs proved too much for the opposition. Doddiethegreat (108) recorded the second fastest final furlong sectional in 14.49secs. Our Champ (106) was noted travelling nicely into the lead before underfoot conditions took their toll.
Other notable performances on the clock included Makin’yourmindup (110) taking the extended two miles and seven furlongs Novices’ Handicap Chase, and Emitom (108) winning the Class 3 Handicap Hurdle over the extended three-mile trip.