Nicky Henderson beams with pride as his charge Sprinter Sacre was named best novice chaser of this millennium
With nine victories out of eleven starts, Sprinter Sacre is definitely on a roll and one of the best runners in the world of horse-racing. Because of his remarkable talent, he was named the best novice chaser of this millennium.
The son of Network, out of mare Fatima III, acquired a mark of 169 in the Anglo Irish Classifications, and he is only 4lb behind Finian’s Rainbow, who is currently the Champion
Chase winner, and three behind Sizing Europe, formerly labelled as the best chaser in Ireland.
John de Moraville, the handicapper for the British Horseracing Authority told the press:
"Sprinter Sacre was the highest-rated novice we have ever had, before he even got to Cheltenham. Personally, I cannot recall a winner of the Arkle being eased before he got to the second-last fence."
With this rating, Sprinter Sacre is on top and has left the three-miler, Gloria Victis, far behind, who was the highest-ranked runner in 1999-2000.
The six-year-old gelding crushed the competition, and came out on top in the Cheltenham Festival 2012, as he entered the Grade 1 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase as a favourite with odds of 8 to 11.
With rider, Barry Geraghty on his back, they made a powerful team and would not admit defeat easily. Their efforts were not futile as they landed the victory, 7 large lengths ahead of the Colin Tizzard trained Cue Card.
The bay and brown runner went on to succeed in the Grade 1 John Smith's Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree on 14th April, 2012, where he had all the elements working in his favour.
Along with speed, skill and stamina, the runner enjoyed market popularity as he raced with a winning chance of 1-7, and lived up to all expectations.
With Barry Geraghty’s help, the runner maintained his composure throughout the race, and notched the victory from Toubab by a tremendous margin of 13 lengths.
The Mrs. Caroline Mould owned runner was given the title of the best novice chaser as his year was described as "bizarre" and "extraordinary."
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