All eyes on Dodging Bullets in Game Spirit Chase

David Metcalf | February 13, 2016

Last year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Dodging Bullets makes his eagerly awaited return to action in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury (15.00) and looks a worthy red-hot favourite to make it a winning one.

The Paul Nicholls trained gelding improved at a rate of knots when winning three of his four starts during the 2014/15 campaign, landing the Grade 1 Tingle Creek at Sandown in good style before comfortably beating Sprinter Sacre by three lengths in the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase at Ascot.

Dodging Bullets then enjoyed his finest hour at the Cheltenham Festival when driven out to beat Somersby by 1 1/4 lengths.

The seven-year-old was well in command at the line and scored with more in hand than the winning margin suggests.

Manner of success suggested more to come

It was a most taking performance and one which suggested there should be more to come this season.

However, Dodging Bullets has since been on the sidelines with injury and now has to give weight all-round on his first start for 339 days.

On ratings the son of Dubawi has 16lb and upwards in hand on his rivals so that shouldn’t be a problem.

Although declared, this race is the second preference for his potential big danger L’ami Serge who is going for the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick unless the fixture is claimed by the weather.