Trainer Nicky Henderson reckons Sprinter Sacre’s appearance in the £120,000 Sportingbet Tingle Creek Chase in December will be huge test for the six-year-old.
Two of the country’s leading two-mile chasers – Sprinter Sacre and the Paul Nicholls trained Sanctuaire – will go head-to-head in the showpiece race at Sandown Park next month.
Sprinter Sacre, winner of the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy in March 2012 and unbeaten in five races over fences last year, was due to run at Cheltenham last Sunday.
But he was pulled out due to the unsuitable ground conditions and now heads straight to the Tingle Creek Chase.
“There is no denying that the Tingle Creek will be a whole new ball game for Sprinter Sacre,” said Henderson.
“Not only will he be faced with a natural pace maker in Sanctuaire, but also an
extremely good horse.
“Sanctuaire poses a big challenge to Sprinter Sacre. It will be an extremely interesting race.”
The Tingle Creek Christmas Festival, one of the big jump race meetings of the year, is on December 7 and 8.
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