Sprinter Scare (right)© Photo Healy Racing
Nicky Henderson was impressed with Un De Sceaux s performance in the Clarence House Chase and is looking forward to taking on the Irish ace with Sprinter Sacre at Cheltenham.
Un De Sceaux, trained by Willie Mullins, re-established his position as the number one contender for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase when beating the 2014 titleholder Sire De Grugy by five lengths at Ascot on Saturday after falling on his previous outing at Leopardstown.
Sprinter Sacre had beaten Sire De Grugy by three-quarters of a length in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over Christmas, so the scene is now set for the leading two-milers to clash in what promises to be a vintage renewal of the Champion Chase on March 16.
Henderson reports Sprinter Sacre, the 2013 Champion Chase winner, in tip-top shape and confirmed the 10-year-old will now go straight to Cheltenham without another run.
"He's great. He won't run before Cheltenham," said the Seven Barrows handler.
"There's no need to run him again. There's no need to. He's actually in excellent shape.
"He's cantering away and he'll start his build-up in about 10 days' time.
"I thought Un De Sceaux was great (at Ascot). It was a good race. He was very impressive.
"It's exciting and it should be some race at Cheltenham."
