Funambule Sivola dominates in Game Spirit victory

Simon Milham
February 16, 2022 12:10 pm

Another big Saturday for in-form Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch.

Funambule Sivola made most of the running to win the Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase and continue the golden run of Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch.

The pair can do little wrong at present and having earned plenty of prize money at Lingfield’s Winter Million meeting Williams provided Deutsch with his first Grade One win last weekend, when L’Homme Presse cruised to victory in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown.

With Gary Moore’s Editeur Du Gite pulled out of the Newbury feature not long after declarations on Thursday, the way was left clear for Funambule Sivola (9-4) to dictate matters in front.

The diminutive seven-year-old might not get very high at his fences, but one thing he does do is get to the other side quickly.

https://twitter.com/NewburyRacing/status/1492516240241434625?s=20&t=y6FLbGGYevwDZsJc4SCN8A

Last year’s winner Sceau Royal adopted his usual stalking role under new pilot James Bowen, only to get in tight to the fourth-last and always be on the back foot thereafter.

Hitman travelled smoothly for a long way and looked a threat running to two out, but Funambule Sivola never missed a beat up the home straight and it was left to Sceau Royal to chase him home, beaten two lengths.