THERE’S only one race for Sprinter Sacre in my eyes.
Now the seven-year-old has eclipsed all-comers at two and two-and-a-half miles, he has the potential to tackle jump racing’s biggest prize, the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
There’s no point beating the same horses again and again at the shorter trip. And class horses can defy the race conditions.
Just look at Kauto Star – a storming Tingle Creek success in 2005 followed by a gracious step up to three in the Betfair Chase.
I was most impressed with Sprinter’s win at Aintree over two and a half. The race was run at tempo and, while not at his peak, he put in a great display to see off the determined Gwent-bred Cue Card.
Sizing Europe, himself a decent tool, was also chasing the black aeroplane’s shadow on ground softer than ideal at Punchestown this week. It takes a mighty one to win at three Festivals and he is just that.
Connections seem reluctant to commit Sprinter to the King George next season but he’s only a best priced 7-2 shot for the Kempton showpiece. I think it would be very sporting of them to up the gelding in distance and it will surely be hard to resist the temptation.
Nothing has seriously challenged the Henderson beast over fences and his potential is immense.
The King George is surely his for the taking, another year on his back and he can only improve.
Quevega was another superstar who didn’t let her faithful down with an assured display in Ireland.
I thought she would dish out a beating to her male rivals, although the gloss was taken off when favourite Solwhit was withdrawn.
Like Sprinter, her Cheltenham success was most impressive.
Today there’s one last shot at glory for the jump boys at Sandown.
The season finale, the Bet365 Gold Cup is always a punting puzzle because you can never really tell how fresh your horse is going to be.
Some will have cut little ice in the Grand National, although it is unfair to say that about Wales’ Saint Are.
He finished a perfectly respectable ninth and should there be no ill effects from that he is capable of running a big race here.
Bradley got no further than the second fence in the Scottish National thanks to a wayward rival and he has got a decent prize in him, but I’m going to plump for There’s No Panic.
Unsuited by Aintree last time, he much prefers the configuration of Sandown and has run two good races here in 2013. Should the weather forecast prove correct, the Nicholls-trained chestnut should get his preferred decent ground.
Handing the trainer’s crown over to Henderson today, there would be no greater tonic for the Ditcheat handler to take the race trophy home for the second year in a row.
Thomas Chippendale (3.15) and Royal Skies (4.25) are the day’s other selections.
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