Sacre stars in Tingle

Sprinter Sacre
(Healy Racing Photos)

Paul Nicholls had exuded confidence in Sanctuaire, an impressive winner of his last three starts, and the two mile Grade One contest was billed as a match between the pair.

The eventuality couldn't have been more one-sided as Nicky Henderson's star breezed past his rival.

Sanctuaire has been a reformed character since being given his head over fences and Ruby Walsh opened up an advantage of at least 10 lengths on the far side of the Esher track.

Barry Geraghty aboard the eventual winner had halved that gap by the first of the Railway Fences and was alongside at the Pond Fence, three from home.

Walsh was beginning to niggle but neither Geraghty nor Sprinter Sacre had broken sweat and the pair glided past their rival.

The final two fences proved no obstacle to the brilliant six year old.

The exploits of Sanctuaire told as he was passed late on by Kumbeshwar who finished a distant second.

The performance left the bookmakers running for cover with Sky Bet quoting Sprinter Sacre at 2/5 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March.