Nicky Henderon has described Sprinter Sacre as looking ‘unbelievable’ as the star prepares for a season gearing towards the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
The 2013 Cheltenham Festival is still over six months away, but racing fans are already counting down the days to the world’s greatest race meeting and Sprinter Sacre already looks set to light up proceedings at Prestbury Park.
The 2012 Arkle hero looks to be one of the most exciting chasers we have seen for some time and the way he disposed of all his rivals over fences last season suggests that he will take some stopping in the new National Hunt season.
Indeed, his masterful trainer can’t wait for the season to start and Henderson explained: ”He came back in last week and he looks magnificent.
"He is gigantic, in the nicest way. He's not fat, he looks unbelievable. He's scary, he's just massive. He's thickened out a lot and he's undoubtedly stronger.”
Sprinter Sacre is already an even-money favourite for the Champion Chase, but it already looks like he’ll have to face a formidable set of rivals and stablemate Finians Rainbow will be out to defend his crown in the two mile showpiece.
His war with Sizing Europe at the end of the last renewal of the Grade One feature was as epic as anything we saw at Cheltenham in 2012 and he is sure to improve again this season.
He might have to if he is going to meet with Sizing Europe again and Henry de Bromhead’s multiple Grade One winning star will be looking to add another Champion Chase success to his impressive CV.
Paul Nicholls’ Sanctuaire also leapt to the forefront of the ante post betting for the race at the backend of last season and racing fans look set for an absolute treat on Thursday 14th March.