Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sporting ExcitementSporting Excitement

Horse Racing

Number 5: The box office chaser who provided one of the greatest moments in Cheltenham history

, Number 5: The box office chaser who provided one of the greatest moments in Cheltenham history

WITH the Cheltenham Festival now 5 days away, the Sun Racing team will be bringing you their ‘Festival 50’ every day between now and 10 March.

We will salute the Prestbury Park heroes that made us fall in love with the Festival, all the way until the ‘Cheltenham roar’ signals that the wait is finally over.

Number 5: Sprinter Sacre

Have you ever seen a horse with as much swagger as Sprinter Sacre?

The lad knew he was the dog’s proverbials, and whenever he rocked up to the track he brought the ‘wow’ factor with him.

His first trip to the Festival ended in defeat, but it provided a massive hint that we were dealing with an absolute monster.

He tanked into the lead turning for home in the 2011 Supreme, a race which featured Al Ferof, Spirit Son and Cue Card, but somehow he could only finish third under AP McCoy.

We all know what happened next.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Sprinter went chasing, and in all honesty, the other two-milers needn’t have bothered turning up for the next two seasons.

He barely came off the bridle to beat Cue Card and Menorah in the 2012 Arkle, while his 2013 Champion Chase win was similarly stunning.

The Nicky Henderson-trained aeroplane barely touched a twig as he sauntered round under Barry Geraghty to beat old champion Sizing Europe by 19 lengths hard-held.

He was still only seven-years-old and seemed totally untouchable.

Then, disaster struck. On his first run of the 2013-14 campaign at Kempton, he started to drop through the field tamely, looked wobbly on his feet and was immediately dismounted by Barry Geraghty.

He had an irregular heartbeat, and for a long time it was unclear whether Hendo would ever be able to get Sprinter back, let alone back to his best.

It was a real struggle, and in the 2015 Champion Chase, it looked as though he had come to the end of the road when pulled up sharply as the 9-4 favourite.

No one would have blamed connections for retiring him right there and then. But he hinted when second at Sandown a month after Cheltenham that there may still be a flame flickering.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

And thank goodness they brought him back the following year, as the magnificent beast provided us with one of the great Festival moments.

He’d enjoyed an excellent season in 2015-16, but so had Un De Sceaux, who was shipped in for the Champion Chase and sent off a red-hot favourite.

But from an early stage Sprinter was winging his fences (producing an epic leap three out) and carting Nico De Boinville through the field. The old lad had his mojo back.

Turning for home he was given an inch of rein and readily drew clear, with 60,000 on course breaking out into raptures.

He cleared the last and stormed up the hill to reclaim his crown. The Cheltenham faithful know how to welcome a champion back into the amphitheatre of the winners’ enclosure – but his welcome was something else.

The performance, the comeback, the reception – it was pure box office. Just like the horse.

SEE ALL FREE BETS HERE

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest

Golf

Legendary Golfer's First Agent Shares Shocking Details Hughes Norton, Tiger Woods' first agent, has revealed his feelings of betrayal after being sacked by the...

Premier League

Roy Keane Doubts Arsenal's Chances Roy Keane is not convinced that Arsenal will beat Manchester City in their upcoming clash at the Etihad Stadium....

Premier League

Luton Town's Injury Woes Luton Town is facing a mounting injury crisis as they gear up to face Tottenham, with assistant manager Kevin Foley...

Premier League

United's Target Manchester United is reportedly considering a summer transfer for Everton's rising star Jarrad Branthwaite. The 21-year-old defender has been a standout player...

Premier League

Red Devils in the race for Olmo Manchester United have reportedly entered the race to secure the signature of RB Leipzig midfielder Dani Olmo...

Premier League

Lukaku's Transfer U-turn Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku is reportedly considering a dramatic transfer U-turn that could see him leave Chelsea permanently after his loan...

Advertisement
Advertisement

Facebook

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement