14:45 Newbury 07 Feb 2026
William Hill Game Spirit Chase
Grade 2 | GBB Race | Class 1 | 5YO plus
Winner £51,255 - 7 declared to run
Heavy-soft in places on chase course
Draw Advantage: None
Forecast: Light rain
Temperature: 6.2° - 11.1°
Rainfall: 1.76mm
Wind: 11.9 mph SE
Last Update: 06/02/2026 17:00x
- Winner
- Top 2 Finish
- W/O Lulamba
- Top 3 Finish
- W/O Saint Segal
- W/O Lulamba And Saint Segal
- W/O Libberty Hunter And Lulamba
- Not To Be Placed
- Not To Win
- Top 4 Finish
Bookies best price percentage = 110.69%
AT THE RACES is not liable for any services or information offered or provided by its bookmaker partners. Please note: Whilst every effort is made to ensure odds and information are up to date and correct, differences between these and actual odds/information available from bookmakers at time of placing a bet may occur.
Won this race last year and ran well when second, beaten 2l, in the Silviniaco Conti Chase (Grade 2) at Kempton last time. Visor worn for the first time. Effective at 2m and just about stays 2 1/2m; generally consistent.
He has won three chases at 2m on good to soft and soft ground. Beaten 1 3/4l by Edwardstone when second of 4 at 9-1 on his latest outing in a Grade 2 chase in the Group 2 Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton over 2m 4f (good) last month.
Won this race last year and ran well when second, beaten 2l, in the Silviniaco Conti Chase (Grade 2) at Kempton last time. Visor worn for the first time. Effective at 2m and just about stays 2 1/2m; generally consistent.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 24 | 3 | 7 | 12.5% | |
| Chase | 17 | 3 | 4 | 17.7% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 3 | 1 | 1 | 33.3% |
| C | Course | 3 | 1 | 1 | 33.3% |
| D | Distance | 15 | 3 | 6 | 20% |
| G | Similar Going | 9 | 1 | 3 | 11.1% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (V only) | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 13.3% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Sam Twiston-Davies | 22 | 2 | 7 | 9.1% |
| T | Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies | 26 | 3 | 8 | 11.5% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Winner of two Grade 1s, including a decisive 9 1/2l success in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown last time. That form nothing special but debut effort has been franked in a Grade 2. Trainer is in form. Effective at 2m and a top-class performer over hurdles and fences, with scope to improve further over longer distances. Can take step into open company in his stride before heading to Arkle.
Winner of three hurdle races and two chases from 1m 7f to 2m 2f on ground varying from good to heavy. Won on his latest outing in a Grade 1 chase when 2-5fav in the Group 1 Betfair Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown over 1m 7f (good to soft) in December last year, beating Be Aware by 10l. Has also won at Exeter this season.
Winner of two Grade 1s, including a decisive 9 1/2l success in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown last time. That form nothing special but debut effort has been franked in a Grade 2. Trainer is in form. Effective at 2m and a top-class performer over hurdles and fences, with scope to improve further over longer distances. Can take step into open company in his stride before heading to Arkle.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 6 | 5 | 1 | 83.3% | |
| Chase | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100% |
| G | Similar Going | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 6 | 5 | 1 | 83.3% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | N de Boinville | 4 | 3 | 1 | 75% |
| T | N J Henderson | 5 | 4 | 1 | 80% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Pulled up in a handicap chase at Ascot last time. Returns after a short break. Effective at 2m and suited by decent ground. Had been consistent prior to that latest run but conditions against him here and likely has spring handicap targets.
Winner of three hurdle races and two chases from 1m 7f to 2m 2f on ground varying from good to soft. Pulled up 3 out when 17-2 at Ascot over 2m 1f (good to soft) in a chase won by Calico in November last year on his latest outing.
Pulled up in a handicap chase at Ascot last time. Returns after a short break. Effective at 2m and suited by decent ground. Had been consistent prior to that latest run but conditions against him here and likely has spring handicap targets.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 25 | 5 | 5 | 20% | |
| Chase | 11 | 2 | 2 | 18.2% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Course | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| D | Distance | 19 | 3 | 5 | 15.8% |
| G | Similar Going | 4 | 1 | 1 | 25% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T only) | 21 | 5 | 4 | 23.8% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Rex Dingle | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| T | A J Honeyball | 13 | 4 | 2 | 30.8% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Ran right up to his best when winning a handicap chase at Ascot by 2 1/4l last time. Comes here after a short break. Effective at 2m and generally consistent, although his mark may now be high enough.
Winner of two hurdle races and five chases from 2m to 2m 1f on ground varying from good to heavy. A winner at 16-1 in a chase at Ascot over 2m 1f (good to soft) on his latest outing in November last year, beating Martator by 2 1/4l. Has also won at Cheltenham this season.
Ran right up to his best when winning a handicap chase at Ascot by 2 1/4l last time. Comes here after a short break. Effective at 2m and generally consistent, although his mark may now be high enough.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 30 | 7 | 8 | 23.3% | |
| Chase | 20 | 5 | 5 | 25% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 25 | 6 | 8 | 24% |
| G | Similar Going | 7 | 2 | 1 | 28.6% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T & P) | 16 | 5 | 4 | 31.3% |
| HG | Cheek Pieces | 16 | 5 | 4 | 31.3% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Harry Skelton | 21 | 5 | 5 | 23.8% |
| T | Dan Skelton | 30 | 7 | 8 | 23.3% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Made mistakes and was outpaced when fourth, beaten 42l, in the Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1) at Sandown last time. Returns from a short break. Effective at 2m and a very useful chaser, though jumping is becoming an issue at this level. Runner up in this last year and not dismissed.
Winner of a hurdle race, two NH flat races and three chases at 2m on ground varying from good to soft to heavy. Well beaten at 25-1 behind Il Etait Temps when fourth of 5 on his latest outing in a Grade 1 chase in the Group 1 Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown over 1m 7f (good to soft) in December last year.
Made mistakes and was outpaced when fourth, beaten 42l, in the Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1) at Sandown last time. Returns from a short break. Effective at 2m and a very useful chaser, though jumping is becoming an issue at this level. Runner up in this last year and not dismissed.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 14 | 4 | 5 | 28.6% | |
| Chase | 10 | 3 | 3 | 30% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| C | Course | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| D | Distance | 16 | 6 | 5 | 37.5% |
| G | Similar Going | 9 | 4 | 3 | 44.4% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 18 | 6 | 6 | 33.3% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | S Bowen | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | Evan Williams | 15 | 4 | 5 | 26.7% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Won a novice chase at Ayr by 2l last time. Effective over 2m to 2 1/2m. His debut form has been franked at Graded level and there is much more to come over fences, with further improvement expected back on better ground but this a big ask as a novice.
Winner of three hurdle races and two chases from 1m 7f to 2m 1f on ground varying from good to soft to heavy. A winner at 5-2 in a chase at Ayr over 2m (heavy) on his latest outing last month, beating Dedicated Hero by 1 3/4l. Has also won at Wetherby this season.
Won a novice chase at Ayr by 2l last time. Effective over 2m to 2 1/2m. His debut form has been franked at Graded level and there is much more to come over fences, with further improvement expected back on better ground but this a big ask as a novice.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 6 | 5 | 1 | 83.3% | |
| Chase | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 3 | 3 | 0 | 100% |
| G | Similar Going | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 7 | 5 | 2 | 71.4% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | H Cobden | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | B Pauling | 6 | 5 | 1 | 83.3% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Improved again when second, beaten 10l, in the Desert Orchid Handicap Chase (Grade 2) at Kempton last time, though unable to reverse form with the winner. That form has been franked in the Clarence House. Effective over 2m to 2 1/2m and remains a hugely progressive chaser.
Has won two hurdle races and six chases from 2m to 2m 4f on ground varying from good to firm to soft. Beaten 10l by Thistle Ask when second of 7 at 9-2 on his latest outing in a Grade 2 chase in the Group 2 Desert Orchid Handicap Chase at Kempton over 2m (good) in December last year. Has won at Kelso and Chepstow this season.
Improved again when second, beaten 10l, in the Desert Orchid Handicap Chase (Grade 2) at Kempton last time, though unable to reverse form with the winner. That form has been franked in the Clarence House. Effective over 2m to 2 1/2m and remains a hugely progressive chaser.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 28 | 8 | 9 | 28.6% | |
| Chase | 21 | 6 | 8 | 28.6% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| C | Course | 4 | 1 | 2 | 25% |
| D | Distance | 11 | 3 | 4 | 27.3% |
| G | Similar Going | 9 | 2 | 4 | 22.2% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T only) | 24 | 6 | 8 | 25% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 1 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | C Gethings | 5 | 2 | 2 | 40% |
| T | Mrs J Williams | 27 | 8 | 9 | 29.6% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Verdict
Nicky Henderson is no stranger to running a top-class novice in this contest as a preparation for the Cheltenham Festival, with Sprinter Sacre (2012) and Altior (2017) both hugely impressive before landing the Arkle, and LULAMBA bids to follow his illustrious stablemates. The five-year-old made the perfect start to life over fences at Exeter before underlining his class in the Henry VIII at Sandown and the sky appears to be the limit. Saint Segal has looked a reformed character in the past 12 months, with Thistle Ask being the only horse to beat him on his last five starts. Master Chewy won this prize last year and sports a first-time visor, but he does face a stiff enough task giving 5lb to the selection and 6lb to the remainder.
Expert View Verdict
Top class novice LULAMBA can make his mark in open company here. He has impressed with his jumping on both of his starts so far and while the form of his Henry VIII win is nothing special his debut win has been franked a couple of times at Grade 2 level. The galloping track will suit and can see him power clear of progressive handicapper Saint Segal whose runner up effort in the Desert Orchid last time has taken a boost in the Clarence House. There wasn't much between Master Chewy and Libberty Hunter in this last year but the latter has a greater preference for easy ground and will be ridden to pick up the pieces. He could reverse last year's form and gain a place on the podium.
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Previous Winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Soft | 5 | Master Chewy | 8 | 11 5 | - | 4F2-4F3 | 56 days | N & W Twiston-Davies (56 miles) | Sam Twiston-Davies | 11/ 1 | 4:09.10 | |
| 2024 | Heavy | 4 | Edwardstone | 10 | 11 8 | - | U25-224 | 28 days | A King (20 miles) | Tom Cannon | 11/ 10 | 4:06.40 | |
| 2023 | Good | 4 | Funambule Sivola | 8 | 11 8 | - | 12P-645 | 14 days | Miss V Williams (89 miles) | Charlie Deutsch | 7/ 1 | 3:51.72 | |
| 2022 | Good to Soft | 4 | Funambule Sivola | 7 | 11 0 | - | 112-291 | 15 days | Miss V Williams (89 miles) | Charlie Deutsch | 9/ 4 | 4:01.35 | |
| 2021 | Good to Soft | 6 | Sceau Royal | 9 | 11 0 | - | 5-1124F | 56 days | A King (20 miles) | Daryl Jacob | 3/ 1 | 4:05.18 | |
| 2020 | Good | 6 | Altior | 10 | 11 6 | - | 11111-2 | 77 days | N J Henderson (1 miles) | Nico De Boinville | 1/ 3 | 4:01.25 | |
| 2018 | Soft | 3 | Altior | 8 | 11 6 | - | 111111 | 287 days | N J Henderson (1 miles) | Nico De Boinville | 1/ 3 | 4:21.50 | |
| 2017 | Soft | 4 | Altior | 7 | 11 5 | - | 111-111 | 46 days | N J Henderson (1 miles) | Nico De Boinville | 4:05.90 | ||
| 2016 | Soft | 4 | Top Gamble | 8 | 11 5 | - | 251-P33 | 43 days | Kerry Lee (108 miles) | Richard Johnson | 11/ 10 | 4:20.60 | |
| 2015 | Soft | 5 | Mr Mole | 7 | 11 6 | - | 32F1-11 | 35 days | P F Nicholls (70 miles) | A P McCoy | 7/ 2 | 4:07.20 | |
| 2014 | Heavy | 4 | Module | 7 | 11 2 | - | F114-24 | 58 days | T R George (53 miles) | Paddy Brennan | 11/ 8 | 4:20.93 | |
| 2013 | Soft | 6 | Wishfull Thinking | 10 | 11 6 | - | F25-214 | 44 days | P Hobbs & J White (108 miles) | Richard Johnson | 4/ 1 | 4:18.40 | |
| 2012 | Good to Soft | 6 | Sprinter Sacre | 6 | 11 5 | - | 2113-11 | 52 days | N J Henderson (1 miles) | B J Geraghty | 2/ 5 | 3:57.80 | |
| 2011 | Good to Soft | 7 | French Opera | 8 | 11 5 | - | 11121-9 | 41 days | N J Henderson (1 miles) | B J Geraghty | 7/ 2 | 4:02.90 | |
| 2010 | Good to Soft | 5 | Master Minded | 7 | 11 10 | - | 2111-13 | 90 days | P F Nicholls (70 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 8/ 13 | 4:04.70 | |
| 2008 | Good to Soft | 6 | Master Minded | 5 | 11 4 | - | F1F-2U1 | 35 days | P F Nicholls (70 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 7/ 4 | 4:12.95 | |
| 2007 | Soft | 8 | Well Chief | 8 | 11 0 | - | 3F1221 | 658 days | D Pipe (108 miles) | Timmy Murphy | 5/ 2 | 4:07.00 |
Race Favourite Stats
| Year | Favourite Finish Position | Winner Market Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 5 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 | 1 |
Race Record
| Distance | Record Time |
|---|---|
| 2m 92y | 3:51.72 |