William Hill Game Spirit Chase
 AutoUpdating 150x150 Gif
Grade 2 Handicap, Newbury 15:00
£85,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus,
2m 92yds, Class 1   
Saturday 8th February 2025

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1 Master Chewy 11/1
2 Libberty Hunter 9/2
3 Matata 11/8F
5 ran NR: Sir Gino Distances: 1¼l, ¾l, 7l
Time: 4m 9.10s (slow by 11.10s)

Master Chewy was not for passing as he rewarded the patience of his connections with a well-earned victory.

Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and ridden by his son Sam, the eight-year-old went off at 11-1 for the Grade Two contest, which had initially been earmarked for Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten Sir Gino. With that rival a late absentee, the complexion of the race shifted, and Master Chewy seized the moment, surging home to land his first success since 2023 with a length-and-a-quarter defeat of Libberty Hunter.

Stablemate Matata was sent off the 11-8 favourite and looked to have matters under control turning for home, but as the challengers loomed large, his grip began to loosen. Despite jumping the last in front, he wandered under pressure, opening the door for the tenacious Master Chewy, who finished strongest of all to snap his losing streak in style.

Bookmakers took note, with Coral slashing his Champion Chase odds from 66-1 to 33-1. But Twiston-Davies hinted that a step up in trip for the Ryanair Chase might be a more suitable path than taking on red-hot favourite Jonbon.

“He’s got some smashing form, but things haven’t always gone his way,” said the trainer. “He was giving weight to Matata and did a lovely job. It’s funny—every time they’ve met, Master Chewy has almost always had the upper hand, except when he fell in the Arkle. They’re two lovely horses, and you can never split them.”

He added: “Master Chewy always finishes strong and probably needs further, so we might look at the Ryanair. I’ll speak to the experts, but that might be the easier route than the Champion Chase.”

For the owners, Anne-Marie and Jamie Shepperd, it was a poignant victory. “They’ve been incredibly supportive, and this win means a lot after the heartbreak of losing I Like To Move It last year. That was a terrible time, but this was exciting and wonderful.”

As for Matata, Twiston-Davies suspected a quick turnaround may have played its part. “It might have come too soon after Windsor. He’ll definitely go for the Champion Chase, and he ran his heart out again today. We’ve got a good four or five weeks to freshen him up, so onwards and upwards.”

Libberty Hunter also shaped with credit, and trainer Evan Williams suggested the Champion Chase remains on the table, though a handicap route is also an option.

“The horse ran well—no complaints,” Williams reflected. “He was second best today but showed he belongs at this level. It’s a huge jump up in grade, so it’s great to see him bridging the gap.

“He’s in the Grand Annual and the Champion Chase, so we’ll weigh up our options. Adam Wedge is convinced he’s better at Cheltenham than on a flat track. If the ground came up really soft, you might be tempted to take a punt.”

BetGoodwin

Wiliam Hill Game Spirit Chase
 (Grade 2) £85,000 guaranteed,
5yo plus, 2m 92y, Class 1
5 ran
Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SPO
1    Master Chewy 8 11-5 Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies 11/1
2 1¼ Libberty Hunter 9 11-2 Evan Williams Adam Wedge 9/2
3 ¾ Matata 7 11-2 Nigel Twiston-Davies J J Slevin 11/8F
4 7 JPR One 8 11-8 Joe Tizzard Brendan Powell 9/2
5 4¼ Edwardstone 11 11-8 Alan King Tom Cannon 7/2
NR 4 Sir Gino 5 11-3 Nicky Henderson NON RUNNER

Free Racing Tips

Betfair Exchange Chase – Roll of Honour

YEAR WINNER TRAINER JOCKEY AGE/WEIGHT SP RAN

2024 EDWARDSTONE Alan King Tom Cannon 10 11-8 11/10F 4
2023 FUNAMBULE SIVAOLA Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch 8 11-8 7/1 4
2022 FUNAMBULE SIVAOLA Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch 7 11-00 9/4 4
2021 SCEAU ROYAL Alan King Daryl Jacob 9-11-00 3/1F 6
2020 ALTIOR Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville 10-11-06 1/3F 6
2019 Abandoned - Equine Flu scare
2018 ALTIOR NJ Henderson Nico de Boinville 08-11-06 1/3F 3
2017 ALTIOR NJ Henderson Nico de Boinville 07-11-05 30/100F 4
2016 TOP GAMBLE Kerry Lee Richard Johnson 08-11-05 10/11F 4
2015 MR MOLE Paul Nicholls A P McCoy 07-11-06 7/2 5
2014 MODULE Tom George Paddy Brennan 07-11-02 11/8F 4
2013 WISHFULL THINKING Philip Hobbs Richard Johnson 10-11-06 4/1 6
2012 SPRINTER SACRE Nicky Henderson Barry Geraghty 06-11-05 2/5F 6
2011 FRENCH OPERA Nicky Henderson Barry Geraghty 08-11-05 7/2 7
2010 MASTER MINDED Paul Nicholls Ruby Walsh 07-11-10 8/13F 5
2009 Abandoned - Snow
2008 MASTER MINDED Paul Nicholls Ruby Walsh 05-11-04 7/4 6
2007 WELL CHIEF David Pipe Timmy Murphy 08-11-00 5/2 8
*2006 DON’T BE SHY Martin Pipe Timmy Murphy 05-10-11 5/4F 4
2005 AZERTYUIOP Paul Nicholls Ruby Walsh 08-11-10 11/10F 6
2004 AZERTYUIOP Paul Nicholls Ruby Walsh 07-11-05 4/11F 6
2003 KADARANN Paul Nicholls Joe Tizzard 06-11-04 5/1 5
2002 LADY CRICKET Martin Pipe A P McCoy 08-11-01 15/8 7
2001 FUNCTION DREAM Mary Reveley Anthony Ross 09-11-03 7/4 6
2000 FLAGSHIP UBERALLES Paul Nicholls Joe Tizzard 06-11-13 1/4F 3
1999 CELIBATE Charlie Mann Mick Fitzgerald 08-11-03 7/2 6
1998 ASK TOM Tom Tate Russ Garritty 09-11-10 13/8F 4
1997 DOUBLE SYMPHONY Charlie Brooks Jamie Osborne 09-10-12 4/5F 3
1996 VIKING FLAGSHIP David Nicholson Adrian Maguire 09-11-10 5/2 6
1995 NAKIR Simon Christian Jamie Osborne 07-11-10 5/2 3
1994 VIKING FLAGSHIP David Nicholson Adrian Maguire 07-11-10 3/1 5
1993 WATERLOO BOY David Nicholson Richard Dunwoody 10-11-07 9/4 5
1992 WATERLOO BOY David Nicholson Richard Dunwoody 09-11-10 10/11F 6

*Run at Lingfield Park after Newbury was abandoned because of frost

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