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**Forced Kin** · 19 March 2012, 03:30 PM

Hopefully Sprinter Sacre will stay safe and well. A proper beast.

**Forced Kin** · 24 March 2012, 07:56 AM

Finians to step up ? Barry Geraghtys blog

FINIAN’S RAINBOW was another fine training performance because he left his previous run at Ascot in late January well behind. With Sprinter Sacre coming along next season over two miles I’d have no worries about this horse going up to two miles five furlongs for the Ryanair.

**Rhinestone Cowboy** · 27 March 2012, 03:08 PM

Originally posted by Forced Kin View Post

Finians to step up ? Barry Geraghtys blog

FINIAN�S RAINBOW was another fine training performance because he left his previous run at Ascot in late January well behind. With Sprinter Sacre coming along next season over two miles I�d have no worries about this horse going up to two miles five furlongs for the Ryanair.

I would say he will move up with Riverside doing the same ...Sanctuaire at 50/1 for next years Champion Chase might be worth a few shekels ...not that he will win unless something happens the aeroplane.

The 2012 renewal of the Champion Chase was another race at the Cheltenham Festival to end badly for favourite backers, with the 2011 champion Sizing Europe turned over at odds of 4/5. Nicky Henderson had a fantastic week, and took this race, with Finian's Rainbow coming out on top in a close finish.

Despite already training the current champion, it is another Henderson trained inmate who is the hot favourite for next year's renewal, with this year's Arkle winner Sprinter Sacre propping up the market, at a best priced 11/8 with Totesport (bet �80 to make �110 profit). Henderson and Barry Geraghty could scarcely contain their enthusiasm when asked about this horse all season, and he duely delivered, winning the Arkle by seven lengths on the bridle. Although his main rival Al Ferof made a race-ending error at a crucial stage, it is hard to think that he would have lived with Sprinter, and Arkle winners have a fantastic record in the Champion Chase. Sprinter Sacre is very likely to head to Aintree next, for the Maghull Novices chase.

Henderson does look to have a stranglehold on the race, with Finian's Rainbow next in the betting, at a best price of 6/1 with Paddy Power. The nine-year-old battled hard to win this year's race, dispelling many people's doubts about him lacking the stamina for even two miles, and also those about him being soft in a finish. However, he only beat Sizing Europe by a length and a quarter, and he would almost certainly have been less inconvenienced by the falls of Wishful Thinking and Kauto Stone than Sizing Europe, as it meant that the pace of the race was not strong, which would have suited Finian's Rainbow as a potential short finisher. He is also likely to go to Aintree for the two and a half mile Melling Chase, and Barry Geraghty has suggested that a step up in trip should be a positive.

Sizing Europe had a tremendous record at the Festival prior to this, having won an Arkle and a Champion Chase, as well as sustaining an injury when looking likely to win the Champion Hurdle. This year's renewal fell apart a bit with the falls of Kauto Stone and Wishful Thinking at the first and second fences, and it meant that Sizing had to make the running, which would not have been ideal. He had also had three very hard races this season, with a grueling effort in the JNWine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal over three miles, before a great performance in the Tingle Creek. He also beat Big Zeb by fifteen lengths in the Tied Cottage Chase in a very fast time, and that race was only five weeks before Cheltenham, so he could have left his race there.

Sizing will go to Punchestown next, where he has a good record, and could be stepped up in trip again next season. He just failed to get home on soft ground at Down Royal, but should get three miles on good ground. The King George looks a good target for him next season, and he is a 14/1 shot with Stan James to win that race, and he can be backed at 8/1 with Sportingbet for next year's Champion Chase.

The Colin Tizzard trained Cue Card chased home Sprinter Sacre in the Arkle, finishing seven lengths behind the Henderson horse, but twenty-two lengths ahead of Menorah in third. This has to rate as a career best from Cue Card, and he looked to have sorted out his jumping frailties. He is another who gets further, and the two and a half mile novices chase at Aintree should be a good intermediate target, before connections make a choice whether to keep him over the minimum trip or campaign him over further next season. He is a 20/1 chancce with Betvictor for next year's Champion Chase.

One runner who could have the potential to put it to Sprinter Sacre next year is Sanctuaire, who can currently be backed at 50/1 with Coral for next year's event. He has only been seen twice over fences so far, but was very impressive, winning by sixteen and forty two lengths. He missed Cheltenham by design to go straight to Aintree, and he is set to take on Sprinter Sacre in the Maghull, where we should see if he is even in the same league as Sprinter

**Super Bobs** · 29 March 2012, 05:12 PM

mordin : SPRINTER SACRE THE BEST TWO MILE CHASER SINCE MOSCOW FLYER

SPRINTER SACRE (45) put up an awesome performance to take the Arkle. We was always moving supremely well and just powered away from his rivals to win in very fast time, full of running.

It's hard to see anything beating Sprinter Sacre over two miles. My ratings say he's the best two mile chaser we've seen since Moscow Flyer.

I was impressed with the way that runner up CUE CARD (42) rallied to pull fifteen lengths clear of the rest as the tried to get back on terms with the winner. The cut back to two miles seemed to benefit this keen going sort. He produced his best ever performance.

Like a lot of shorter distance chasers Cue Card seems to be best on his first two starts of the season and with breaks of at least five weeks between his runs thereafter. But actually all his runs have been good. He's a high class horse who looks to be reaching the height of his powers.

**Forced Kin** · 30 April 2012, 05:21 PM

Rubi Light could drop down to two miles next season after finding his stamina stretched too far on heavy ground at Punchestown on Saturday.

R

obbie Hennessy will consider putting the seven-year-old over the minimum trip at some stage next winter if conditions are suitable.

Winner of the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase over two and a half miles in December, Rubi Light found the extra five furlongs beyond his reach when fourth to China Rock in thetote.com Punchestown Gold Cup.

Although Rubi Light is effective with plenty of cut in the ground, the longer distance was just too much in the gruelling conditions.

"I'd say it was a combination of the three-mile-one on that ground and Andrew (Lynch) just felt he was a little bit dead in himself. It's been a long season for him," said the County Meath handler.

"He's been out in the paddock with Sublimity. He'll be out there for a few hours every day and then he will be out at grass for the next three months.

"Looking at the race the other day, we'll probably bring him back to two and a half. We probably won't even be afraid to drop him back to two miles at some point next season if need be.

"We'll see how we get on and when the time comes see what the ground is like."

**Statto** · 10 September 2012, 02:14 PM

Interesting about Big Zeb...getting long in tooth but pretty sure his dosage has plenty of staying pedigree in there. Must check.

Big Zeb could step up in distance this season as the 2010 Queen Mother Champion Chase hero enters the twilight of his career.

Trainer Colm Murphy has no concrete plans for the 11-year-old but believes his stable stalwart could still have plenty to offer.

"He seems like a two-year-old at the moment. He's in great order and he looks magnificent," said the County Wexford handler.

"I think we'll play it race by race with him. I'm not sure where we'll start him or whether it will be much the same route as last year.

"We have the option of going up in trip as well.

"There are plenty of options and we will see how he is during the year. We'll let him do the talking."

**Statto** · 10 September 2012, 02:17 PM

Once a horse has been identified as a " Chef-de race" sire it is also given an "aptitudinal analysis" and classified into the appropriate aptitudinal classes - the maximum number of classes a horse can be allocated to is two. These classes range from brilliant -a sire noted for getting top-quality sprinters- to professional -a sire noted for getting horses to run in the top races at long distances. The five classes are Brillant – Intermediate – Classic – Solid – Professional.

BIG ZEB (IRE) b. G, 2001 DP = 4-0-8-8-2 (22) DI = 0.57 CD = -0.18 -
31 Starts, 13 Wins, 10 Places, 3 Shows Career Earnings: � 805,360

More stamina than speed if I read that right

**Sefton** · 10 September 2012, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by Statto View Post

BIG ZEB (IRE) b. G, 2001 DP = 4-0-8-8-2 (22) DI = 0.57 CD = -0.18 -
31 Starts, 13 Wins, 10 Places, 3 Shows Career Earnings: � 805,360

More stamina than speed if I read that right

So they were running him in wrong races all along

...

What does dosage say about forpadydeplaster ? Was sick when he attempted three miles in King George but now could be going for Kerry National ?

**mayo** · 6 October 2012, 05:16 PM

That was pretty good from Sizing today. Might have been fitter than last year ? Will be interesting to see where he goes next. A clash with sprinter sacre in tingle creek before crack at king George ? A slog in down royal would just be wrong IMO.

**Hoof** · 23 November 2012, 10:32 PM

Champion Chase
11-10 Sprinter Sacre (Paddy Power)
7-1 Finians Rainbow (sportingbet; 64-5, Betfair), Sizing Europe (general; 21-2, Betfair)
8-1 Sanctuaire (general)
14-1 Cue Card (Paddy Power; 35-1, Betfair)
16-1 Peddlers Cross (Stan James)
25-1 Days Hotel (Stan James), Grands Crus (Stan James; 37-1, Betfair), Somersby (BetVictor, Stan James; 161-1, Betfair), Realt Dubh (general)
33-1 Menorah (general; 37-1, Betfair), Edgardo Sol (sportingbet; 45-1, Betfair), Al Ferof (Skybet, sportingbet, Stan James; 80-1, Betfair), Rubi Light (33-1, Stan James; 123-1, Betfair), Alderwood (Paddy Power, Stan James), Montbazon (Paddy Power, Stan James)
40-1 Rebel Fitz (Stan James), Tataniano (sportingbet; 123-1, Betfair), Trifolium (Stan James)
50-1 bar

**Old Vic** · 6 January 2013, 09:35 PM

1-2 Sprinter now

**Lester** · 8 January 2013, 11:35 AM

More Stats http://www.fatjockey.com/cheltenham-...-Stats-2013-89

**Old Vic** · 10 January 2013, 12:18 PM

Jump racing’s rising star Sprinter Sacre heads 17 entries for the �350,000 Grade One Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase over two miles, the feature race on day two of The Festival, Ladies Day, Wednesday, March 13.

Nicky Henderson’s performer enjoyed an unbeaten novice chase campaign which culminated with a faultless seven length success over Cue Card in the Racing Post Arkle Chase at The Festival last year and another easy Grade One triumph at Aintree. The seven-year-old started this season in breathtaking fashion when thrashing Kumbeshwar and Sanctuaire by at least 15 lengths in the Sportingbet Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park in December.

Sprinter Sacre is a 4/9 chance with the sponsor to win for a second time at The Festival. Henderson is also responsible for the reigning two-mile champion chaser Finian’s Rainbow and exciting novice Simonsig, who is currently favourite for the Racing Post Arkle Chase.

The four Irish-trained entries in the Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase are headed by the 2011 victor and 2012 runner-up Sizing Europe. Henry de Bromhead’s 11-year-old made it three from three this season with a comfortable success over Rubi Light in the Grade One Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown on December 27.

Sizing Europe’s trainer Henry de Bromhead said today: “The sportingbet.com Champion Chase is a race we are looking at for Sizing Europe. He has been entered in the Ryanair and the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup too and we just want to keep our options open at this stage. “He seems in great form at the moment and we have been delighted with his performances this season. His win at Clonmel was very impressive. “I’d imagine he will have one more race before The Festival and we are looking at the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown in early February.”

The talented Flemenstar, who also holds an entry in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Ryanair Chase, has the option of going for the two-mile championship event instead.

**Old Vic** · 10 January 2013, 12:41 PM

Sprinter Sacre, who recorded a scintillating victory in the Racing Post Arkle Chase at Cheltenham last year, heads 17 entries for the Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase, the highlight of Ladies Day at The Festival on Wednesday, March 13.
The Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old is unbeaten in six starts over fences and recorded a third consecutive Grade One success on his seasonal return with a stunning display of jumping in the Sportingbet Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on
December 8.

Such has been Sprinter Sacre’s dominance of the two-mile division this term that he is set to be one of the shortest-priced favourites at this year’s Festival, despite two previous winners of the Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase, Sizing Europe (2011) and Finian’s Rainbow (2012) also featuring among the entries.

Sizing Europe, one of four Irish-trained contenders, was second in last year’s Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase. Henry de Bromhead’s charge has been impressive in three appearances this season, most recently when beating the Robbie
Hennessy-trained Rubi Light in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown on December 27. Finian’s Rainbow, who is also trained by Henderson, ended last season with a decisive success over Wishfull Thinking, from the stable of Philips Hobbs, in the Grade One John Smith’s Melling Chase at Aintree but disappointed on his seasonal return at Ascot in November.

A trio of entries from Henderson is completed by the exciting novice chaser Simonsig, a facile winner of the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival in March. The seven-year-old has won his two starts over fences by an aggregate of 84 lengths and could be the principal threat to Sprinter Sacre over the coming seasons.

Three-time Grade One scorer Flemenstar, who also holds an entry in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Ryanair Chase, could drop back in distance for Peter Casey after coming home a close third over three miles in the Lexus Chase at
Leopardstown on December 28. He had previously displayed a high level of form over shorter trips, including when recording a facile victory in the two-mile Fortria Chase at Navan in November.

Cue Card may also return to two miles after finishing fifth in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on December 26. Colin Tizzard’s stable star was second to Sprinter Sacre in the Racing Post Arkle Chase and was the ready winner of the
Sportingbet Haldon Gold Cup on his seasonal return at Exeter in November. The Paul Nicholls-trained Sanctuaire could only finish third behind Sprinter Sacre and Kumbeshwar, who is trained by Alan King, in the Sportingbet Tingle Creek Chase but
the seven-year-old reversed the form with the runner-up with a straightforward success in the williamhill.com Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton on December 27. Nicholls, the most successful current trainer in the Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase with four wins to his name, has also engaged Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase third Edgardo Sol and Shooters Wood, who is unbeaten in three chase starts at Cheltenham.

William’s Wishes could step up in class after posting a pair of handicap chase wins for Evan Williams, while the Noel Meade-trained Realt Dubh may bid to improve on his fifth behind Finian’s Rainbow at The Festival last year. The entries are completed by Somersby, who would be a rare Cheltenham Festival runner for Mick Channon, Grade One winner Tataniano, who is trained by Richard Rowe, and Free World, who has joined Tim Vaughan after spells with Paul Nicholls and Arthur
Moore.

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