Date: Saturday, 7th February 2026
Race: 2.45 Newbury – William Hill Game Spirit Chase (Grade 2)
Conditions: 2m½f, Heavy Ground
The ground is heavy at Newbury, and the Game Spirit is often a tactical affair where jumping fluency and the ability to handle the deep stuff are paramount. We have a field of seven, but the market is heavily skewed, and rightly so.
Here is the no-nonsense breakdown.
The Selection: Lulamba (FR)
Odds: 4/6
Trainer: N J Henderson
Sometimes you just have to respect the machine. Nicky Henderson has this 5-year-old flying. Looking at the data:
Trajectory: He is 4 wins from 5 starts over fences (80% strike rate). His last run at Sandown in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase was clinically efficient—travelling well, jumping cleanly, and winning “easily” by nearly 10 lengths.
Ratings: He sits on a Human Ratings Base (HRB) total of 470.9, significantly clear of Saint Segal (390) and Calico (386).
Conditions: He has handled “Good to Soft” and “Yielding” with ease. While today is Heavy, his sire Nirvana Du Berlais suggests stamina won’t be an issue, and young French-breds often cope well with the mud.
Run Style: The comments “travelled well,” “quickened clear,” and “clever jump” appear repeatedly in his profile. He is an uncomplicated ride for Nico de Boinville.
He is a Grade 1 animal running in a Grade 2. He is the clear winner on paper.
The Danger: Master Chewy (IRE)
Odds: 8/1
Trainer: N A Twiston-Davies
If the favourite fluffs his lines, the value lies with the defending champion.
Course & Distance: Master Chewy won this exact race last year (2025) on Soft ground. He knows every inch of the Newbury fences.
Current Form: His recent form (1562472) looks patchy at a glance, but his 2nd place at Kempton last month showed the fire is still there.
The Concern: The run comments “hung left” and “no extra close home” in recent starts suggest he might be vulnerable to a finisher like Lulamba, but he is the safest bet for the forecast.
The Swerve: Libberty Hunter
Odds: 6/1
I am avoiding Evan Williams’ runner today. The form figures 2312FU4 tell a worrying story. A fall, an unseat, and then a distant 4th (beaten 42 lengths) suggests confidence is low or there is a physical issue. In heavy ground, mistakes are magnified. He is not a betting proposition today.
The Dark Horse: Meetmebythesea (IRE)
Odds: 20/1
A brave shout for the placings. He has won 5 of his last 6 runs. He is stepping up massively in class from handicap company, but he is a proven mudlark (won on Heavy at Ayr recently). He lacks the class of Lulamba, but if the race turns into a slog, he will keep plugging on when others stop.
The Verdict
Don’t overcomplicate it. Lulamba is a class above this field and is being campaigned like a serious Champion Chase contender for the future. He should have too much speed and jumping ability for the older handicappers.
Win: Lulamba (FR)
Forecast (Exacta): Lulamba to beat Master Chewy