Game Spirit Chase 2011

3.00 Newbury
totepool Game Spirit Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) (5YO plus)
Winner £22,804

Pick: French Opera (win)

Cornas: Has had a very good season this year, winning Grade 3 on reappearance before two good runs in decent handicaps; Finally won again at Sandown last time, in a very good race for the grade and has a decent chance of going in again here.

Thico Polos: Showed a lot of promise last year in decent Novice Chases, (looked very tired when falling after running well for a long way in the Feltham & Second to Punchestowns & French Opera after that); Ran great race to win Haldon Gold Cup and was still going well when falling in the Paddy Power, and ran a good second to Cornas at Sandown 2 stars ago; Grade 1 company proved too much for him last time out but has massive weight turnaround with Cornas on that run and right sort for races like this.

French Opera: Had an incredible season last year, winning 5 out of his 6 races and coming desperately close second in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival (compensated with Grade 2 afterwards);Ran a shocker last time on seasonal reappearance but at the very least will be straighter for that and should like the ground more.

Oiseau De Nuit: Was third in the Celebration Chase last backed end and ran a great race first time out this season but not really gone on from that and needs more to make a mark here.

Sports Line: Imposing sort who made great strides over hurdles in 2008/9, bolting up on both starts against good opposition ; Fell just short of the top in novice chases last season but hadn’t learned to settle when last seen and while he should improve for that, lot more needed.

I’msingingtheblues: Capable novice handicapper last season who looked like an outside contender for the Arkle when winning competitive handicap at Doncaster for Paul Nicholls and was probably feeling the effect of three excellent efforts for new yard when badly beaten over 2 miles at Cheltenham and possibly the same effect to blame for poor sun at Sandown last time; Has his ground and not hard to see big run.

VERDICT: What has usually proven an exceptionally good trial for the Champion Chase is much weaker for the absence of Woolcombe Folly. All six have a slight question mark over them but FRENCH OPERA was getting close to Champion Chase class last season and he’s worth another chance to prove that a mark of 158 wasn’t beyond him.