Libberty Hunter given Game Spirit aim after Ascot ruled out

Libberty Hunter will divert to Newbury’s Game Spirit Chase next month after he was not declared for Saturday’s BetMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot due to drying ground.

Evan Williams’ progressive two-miler was runner-up in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival last term before subsequently making the frame in his first attempt in Grade One company at Aintree.

Libberty Hunter impressed when making a winning return at Prestbury Park in December and Williams had been keen to test his mettle against the likes of Jonbon and dual Champion Chase hero Energumene.

However, drying conditions at the Berkshire venue have seen Williams search for a Plan B and having avoided a clash with one Nicky Henderson chasing star, he could now be on course to take on another in Sir Gino at Newbury in early February.

“The ground has dried far too much for him, it has gone good in places and I would imagine it will have dried considerably more by the weekend,” said Williams.

“He’s a soft ground horse and it’s disappointing, but that’s the way it goes.

“We’ll try to get to Newbury on February 8 for the Game Spirit. That’s what we will try to do and we need cut in the ground really. It’s a tough enough ask (taking on these horses) as it is, without running on ground he doesn’t want.”

Libberty Hunter is a general 33-1 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.