Game Spirit Chase

[Ardross]

If that lot turn up that's going to be rather more of a test than either of the renewals Sprinter Sacre and Altior won as novices - and Sir Gino for all the class of his jumping at Kempton has less experience over fences than either of the others.

Surely better to take on L'Eau du Sud in the Kingmaker - but trainers are creatures of habit.

 

[Ian_Davies]

I was at Windsor when Matata won and was hugely impressed - a much-improved chaser and now on a mark of 163.

There are other good experienced horses in the race too.

And I'm hearing and reading all manner of bold statements about Sir Gino after he's jumped just a dozen fences in public.

There have to be better odds-on chances than a novice taking on seasoned chasers in only his second Chase.

That said, I wouldn't be keen to lay him either.

Different course, different ground, but anyone thinking Matata might get Sir Gino "at it" and put his jumping to the test might consider that Matata clocked 4m 3.18s round Windsor, while Sir Gino clocked 3m 48s round Kempton.

In no way would I take this literally for comparison purposes, but it suggests to me the chances of setting an early tempo on Saturday Sir Gino cannot cope with are slim.

Should be fascinating to watch.

 

[Desert Orchid]

I was at Windsor when Matata won and was hugely impressed - a much-improved chaser and now on a mark of 163.

There are other good experienced horses in the race too.

And I'm hearing and reading all manner of bold statements about Sir Gino after he's jumped just a dozen fences in public.

There have to be better odds-on chances than a novice taking on seasoned chasers in only his second Chase.

That said, I wouldn't be keen to lay him either.

Different course, different ground, but anyone thinking Matata might get Sir Gino "at it" and put his jumping to the test might consider that Matata clocked 4m 3.18s round Windsor, while Sir Gino clocked 3m 48s round Kempton.

In no way would I take this literally for comparison purposes, but it suggests to me the chances of setting an early tempo on Saturday Sir Gino cannot cope with are slim.

Should be fascinating to watch.

I backed Matata that day. This is what I wrote before it:

My gut is telling me Crebilly might be good enough to win at the festival so they might not want to go up the weights. Harper’s Brook is risky because he needs to be put in front really near the line before he stops. Sans Bruit doesn’t instil confidence. Arctic Bresil might have his own ideas about the game. Martator ran on Saturday so will probably come out. Unexpected Party looks like they’re trying to work his way back down the handicap, maybe with a repeat go at the Grand Annual in mind. Editeur Du Gite looks a shadow of his old self, as does Etalon but in his case it has looked deliberate, again possibly with the Grand Annual in mind. Matata might therefore be the only trier in the race.

It reminded me of the gift Djelo got at Huntingdon (and, to a lesser extent Solness the other day ) so I wouldn't over-read the result myself, which might cost me, but his new mark put handicaps out of his reach so he's pretty much forced to run in this kind fo race.

 

[Tanlic]

Nicky must be thinking this fellow is right up there with Sprinter Sacre to ask him to take on Matata at this stage of his career...Normally Nicky would be looking for an easy option before Cheltenham so obviously he has great faith in this horse...come home safe is the most important thing..I will watch with fingers crossed