2012 result

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Wishfull Thinking Stays On for Game Spirit
09/02/13

1 Wishfull Thinking 4/1
2 French Opera 9/4F
3 Edgardo Sol 11/4
NR: Majala (FR), Stagecoach Pearl
6 ran Distances: 2l, ¾l, 6l
TIME 4m 18.19s (slow by 16.19s)

Wishfull Thinking stayed on strongly from the final fence to capture the Betfair Super Saturday Chase at Newbury, but there was scant evidence to unsettle Sprinter Sacre's connections.

Wishfull Thinking
© racing-images.co.uk

The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding looked set for third place once French Opera and Edgardo Sol took over after the pacesetting Shooters Wood had run his race.

Wishfull Thinking (4-1) still had plenty to do at the last, but found extra for Richard Johnson to win by two lengths.

Hobbs said: "It was a good job it was two-miles-one and not two miles, as he kept going and going.

"It was worrying how quickly he stopped at Kempton last time, it might have been something to do with his wind, but he did that well today.

"I suppose he will go for the Champion Chase, as Menorah will hopefully go for the Ryanair and there's a good prize for finishing second to Sprinter Sacre."

Paul Nicholls, successful with Silviniaco Conti, added another when Unioniste (4-5 favourite), last seen winning the big December handicap at Cheltenham, emerged ahead of Hadrian's Approach in a desperate struggle for the Better Prices On Betfair Mobile Novices' Chase.

"He idles and I knew he'd need a stronger pace and bigger field," said Nicholls. "If there's a race for him at Cheltenham, the RSA would probably be the one. I don't think he'd be quick enough for the Jewson."

Betfair Super Saturday Chase (Grade 2)
£45,000 added, 5yo plus, 2m 1f, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Soft