Saint Segal likely to test Game Spirit waters at Newbury

Jane Williams has pencilled in Saint Segal for the William Hill Game Spirit Chase at Newbury as the next step of his highly productive campaign.

The eight-year-old hit the ground running with victory at Chepstow before dropping back in trip to finish second behind rapid improver Thistle Ask in the Haldon Gold Cup.

He then returned to handicap company to take a valuable race at Kelso, after which he was second behind Thistle Ask once more when runner-up in the Grade Two Desert Orchid at Kempton.

This spell of form has seen him raised to a career-high mark of 155, and although he is entered in Musselburgh’s Scottish Champion Chase as a back-up plan it is more likely that he will contest the Game Spirit at Newbury next.

“We’re very pleased with him, he’s come out of his race really well,” said Williams.

“We made a tentative entry for the Musselburgh race he ran (finished second) in last year, but it’s unlikely that he’ll go there. I wanted him in it, just in case, but I don’t really want to go back up to two miles and four furlongs at the moment.

“With that in mind we’ll probably be going to Newbury for the Game Spirit instead.

“He’s very consistent and I’m hoping he’ll keep going. I don’t know if there’s any more improvement in him, but who knows? He’s just carried on improving this season.

“He’s in very good form and very happy at home, so it’s all good.”