Octet stand firm for Spirit

Last updated: 8th February 2013   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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Wishfull Thinking: Game Spirit hopeful

The enforced absence of Simonsig has left a field of eight declared for the Betfair Super Saturday Chase at Newbury on Saturday.

Trainer Nicky Henderson had to take the Arkle favourite out of his two-mile-one-furlong prep, formerly known as the Game Spirit Chase, after the exciting grey was found not to be 100% following a trachea wash test.

Henderson now looks to French Opera, who won this race in 2011 and was second to the stable's brilliant chaser Sprinter Sacre 12 months ago.

The Seven Barrows handler also runs Tanks For That.

Paul Nicholls saddles Edgardo Sol and Shooters Wood, while Philip Hobbs will be hoping Wishfull Thinking can bounce back to form after a poor run at Kempton.

Tom George has left in Majala, but this race is the seven-year-old's second preference behind the Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial Novices' Chase at Warwick on the same day.

Stagecoach Pearl and Pigeon Island complete the eight runners.