Grade Two Game Spirit Chase Guide 2022

This admirable 10yo is perhaps beginning to regress.. but – regressing from a peak rating of 164 isn’t by any means a negative.

Sceau Royal is a hugely talented horse, and he’s danced every single dance for connections, be it fences or hurdles

He’s back over fences today - after campaigning so far this season – exclusively in hurdle races. On his last start over fences he was soundly beaten by Greaneteen, and Altior – no less.

However he did have the Champion Chase winner Put The Kettle On in behind. He represents top level form and can always be relied upon to run his race.

He’s by no means facing horses of the calibre of the aforementioned but his run last time out has to be a concern.

Top rated, clearly the best performer on lifetime form – but against some potentially smart, lesser exposed rivals here. He could be vulnerable.

Considerably the least exposed of the field – he’s ran to a very high standard on what we do have to work on and he is one of few you can expect improvement from.

Hitman hasn’t reached the ceiling of his ability yet and was a good second to Greaneteen last time out in the Tingle Creek (G1). He’s in top hands and you’d expect he’d be up to a task like this.

However, the yard form has to be a massive concern. Henry De Bromhead has had a similar poor patch of form – yet his top performers seem well able to do the business.

There’s hope that he can go well and buck the recent trend of dismal form.

Sky Pirate has been a good horse for connections, he won at last years Cheltenham festival and he wasn’t unbacked. He’s yet to get his head in front this season though, I think he is just short of this level.

Although running admirably – I don’t think he’s ever seriously threatened to win this season.

Last time out he was a 7l second to Brave Seasca, in a class 2 handicap, although conceding weight to the winner – he should have finished a lot closer.

Perhaps not quite up to this level, but this strong traveller might just pick up a few pieces if they go too hard in front.

Funambule Sivola hails from a yard in fantastic form (Venetia Williams). He’s largely been campaigned in handicap company – but has contested in graded races.

He’s ran well in all types of ground but contrary to popular belief, doesn’t seem to be a Venetia Williams trained horse that absolutely loves the mud.

He’s won on good ground – I think that’s his ideal (Good-Good/Soft). The ground is good to soft at the time of writing so looks to have his optimal conditions.

He’s improving rapidly and doesn’t have loads to find with his rivals here. This is a winnable Grade Two, and with the yard in such fine form, he cannot be discounted.

Similarly to Funamble Sivola, Editeur Du Gite is progressing well through the handicap ranks, latterly running away with a c2 handicap at Cheltenham, beating Cheddleton and Frero Banbou there.

The form of that race is working out well, and I don’t think he was a fluke winner of the race. Much of the post-race reaction was that he may have gotten a freebie on the front end, but that’s just how Editeur Du Gite runs.

This horse bears his heart on his sleeve and always looks to make all at a good pace – he definitely takes horses out of their comfort zone with his high cruising speed and electric jumping.

His form this year has been very good, he’s up 14lb from his seasonal reappearance. He is rapidly improving and from another yard in cracking form, he’s impossible to confidently rule out.