Sprinter Sacre is certain to go off the shortest price horse of the Cheltenham Festival this season. He has been so impressive in winning the valuable Tingle Creek at Sandown and the Victor Chandler over course and distance that the opposition has virtually dried up. He may even go off at shorter odds than Flying Bolt who won the Champion Chase at odds of 1-5 in 1966.
Nicky Henderson’s rising star won the Arkle Trophy last season by an easy seven lengths from Cue Card. His task was made easier by an early blunder from main market rival Al Ferof but he could hardly have been more impressive, cruising on the bridle two out before pulling clear of his toiling rivals. He turned out again at Aintree where he had around two stone in hand of his rivals on official ratings and duly landed odds of 1-7.
Although much had been made of the chances of the Paul Nicholls-trained Sanctuaire ahead of the Tingle Creek in December, Sprinter Sacre was sent off 4-11 favourite and was not extended to overhaul that pace-setting rival before 3 out. Sanctuaire had probably run too freely on very soft ground and was eventually passed by Kumbeshwar for second place. Although Sanctuaire bounced back with a victory at Kempton he again proved no match for Sprinter Sacre at Cheltenham under more restraint.
The only rival that cannot be backed at a double figure price is former two-mile champion Sizing Europe. Henry De Bromhead’s 11-year-old is unbeaten in five starts since arguably being unlucky to lose his two-mile crown to Finian’s Rainbow at least year’s festival meeting. The runners had to be steered around a fence in the home straight and that certainly did Sizing Europe no favours, eventually losing by a length and a quarter. His trainer has thought long and hard about the right distance for his stable star this season and even had a Gold Cup entry until recently. He has certainly shown that he can stay two and a half miles and he looks the one to give the favourite a race.
Reigning champion Finian’s Rainbow goes into this race under something of a cloud having finished last in both starts this season. In his defence, he is known not to like soft ground and trainer Nicky Henderson was reluctant to run him on both occasions. He felt that he simply had to get some racing into him before the festival. He was never happy in the Ascot Chase won by Cue Card and his price has drifted out accordingly.
Cue Card’s Cheltenham festival target is yet to be decided with the Ryanair Chase still very much an option. Trainer Colin Tizzard freely admits that the Ryanair looks the most logical option and he may have left him in the Champion just in case something happens to the favourite. There was plenty to like about his six lengths victory over Captain Chris and he is currently as short as 3-1 favourite for the Ryanair. Philip Hobbs, trainer of Captain Chris, could be represented by recent Newbury winner Wishfull Thinking after a game win over French Opera at Newbury. However, he looks well held by the principals on all known form.
The dark horse of the race is Tom George’s Mail De Bievre after his display of bold jumping at Newbury behind Silviniaco Conti. That race was over three miles on soft ground and he weakened in the closing stages to finish fifth. He also holds a Ryanair entry but George is considering supplementing him for the two mile event to see what he can do. The eight-year-old had raced exclusively in France prior to the Newbury race so he would certainly make it interesting if he has the speed to make the running.
Summary
Sprinter Sacre is being heralded as the new jumping sensation and it will take a brave man to bet against him after the way he has demolished the opposition in his previous races. If he were to get beaten it would be the shock of the meeting. The only horse that looks capable of doing so is Sizing Europe so he could be something to bet on if “betting without the favourite”.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
