Sprinter shortens again for Cheltenham glory

Sprinter Sacre further enhanced his growing reputation with a superb performance in the Betfair Super Saturday Chase at Newbury on Friday afternoon.

Nicky Henderson's exciting novice followed up a foot-perfect fencing debut at Doncaster by annihilating Peddlers Cross at Kempton and this was his first start outside novice company.

Barry Geraghty was keen to settle the 2-5 favourite in behind rivals in the early stages of the Grade Two contest, better known as the Game Spirit Chase, but he soon pulled his way through the field.

Jumping boldly, the six-year-old went into a clear lead heading down the back straight and soon had his rivals in serious trouble.

French Opera did his best to keep tabs on his stablemate on the run for home on his seasonal reappearance, but Sprinter Sacre was still on the bridle and he came home with six lengths in hand without being extended.

Paddy Power make the gelding the 6-4 favourite from 9-4 for the Arkle Trophy at next month's Cheltenham Festival while William Hill go evens about his chance.

Geraghty said: "I'm not sure I've ever ridden anything like that - he's electric. He has scope and travels and when he popped the last it was a relief that he was thinking that way. "He jumped so well - he's an unbelievable horse.

"You can never take anything for granted and Cheltenham is a different place. He'd want to switch off as well.

"He popped the last down the back and he was good and clever at the last.

"The main thing I wanted from today was that he went and popped, rather than being flash."

Henderson said: "The idea was to try and hold him up, but when he jumped past French Opera in the air he was going too well.

"Remittance Man (1991 Arkle winner) was very similar, but he was a wiry, whereas this is a lovely-looking horse.

"He's probably got more gears than Remittance Man, too. It's scary what he can do."