Sprinter Sacre, The new star of NH racing

You could travel the world and still not find a horse that from a physical standpoint is more impressive than the apple in his trainer Nicky Henderson's eye the Black Aeroplane Sprinter Sacre.

I doubt here is a horse on the planet whether on the flat or over jumps the possesses as much natural ability as this magnificent 7yo gelding who after showing great promise as a novice hurdler has displayed nothing but brilliance since switched to the larger obstacles.

Champion racehorses win no matter what conditions they are presented with and Sprinter Sacre has shown brilliance at every track he has graced so far with scintillating wins at Doncaster, Kempton, Sandown, Aintree and the home of NH racing Cheltenham while showing whatever the ground conditions he is faced with whether its good ground in the spring or the heavy ground in the depths of winter.

I have had the privilege of being being in attendance for three of the biggest wins of his career so far beginning with his breathtaking win in The Racing Post Arkle Chase (pictures on the left) where he took up the running a mile out  and made high class rivals like Cue Card and Menorah look like average. Both of two horses behind him that day have between them won three grade 2 races since being swept aside by 'The Black Aeroplane'.

The next time I was lucky enough to see this wonder horse was at one of my favourite racecourses Sandown Park a track designed for a horse like Sprinter Sacre and he was a sight to behold with some breathtaking leaps along the famous Sandown back straight and in the process putting up as a impressive display ever seen in this grade 1 contest.

His next race was due to be at Ascot on January 19th in the Victor Chandler Chase but due to snow this meeting was abandoned but it would not deprive NH fans of seeing this increasingly popular horse as the race race was added to Cheltenham's Festival Trials day a week later.

For the first time in his career he would be faced with heavy ground to contend with and connections where understandably concerned by running there pride and joy in such conditions but they had nothing to worry about as this magnificent horse once again skipped through the mud to once again show why he is nicknamed the Black Aeroplane winning this grade 1 contest in nothing less than a canter.

The Champion Chase now beckons and with a clear round of jumping that is almost guaranteed by a horse that jumps his fences with such exuberance that the result almost a formality and that he will take his place on the Champion Chase roll of honour alongside the other great 2m chasers of past years.