Sprinter Sacre v Sanctuaire, a mouth-watering clash in Sportingbet Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown
Saturday’s Sportingbet Tingle Creek Chase has attracted seven high-profile entries at Sandown, but the real competition is between Sprinter Sacre and Sanctuaire. Both are unbeaten over fences so far, and it looks a mouth-watering clash over a distance of
two miles.
The going is soft for the Grade 1 event. Therefore, every runner needs to be really cautious. Sprinter Sacre has mostly raced under less testing conditions, but he was an impressive winner when sent on soft ground at Royal Ascot in February 2011. Since the
6-year-old has proved his mettle in testing conditions before, he is highly likely to continue his progressive journey.
Sanctuaire, who usually dictates matters right from the start, is expected to make things very tricky for the rivals. However, he might prove vulnerable, once Sprinter Sacre starts his impressive engine. The two dashing runners showed some terrific performances
last season.
Sprinter Sacre has faced defeat only twice in his career so far, winning nine of 11 starts. Nicky Henderson’s charge displayed a few fascinating shows last season. After tasting success at Doncaster and Kempton in last December, he went to Newbury, where
he won a Grade 2 event with half a dozen lengths.
Owned by Mrs Caroline Mould, the bay and brown gelding secured his first Grade One in March, when beating Cue Card by seven lengths in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase at Cheltenham.
Another big victory came to his way the following month. In the Grade 1, John Smith's Maghull Novices' Chase, the Barry Geraghty-ridden scored by 13 lengths.
Sanctuaire’s stats are equally impressive, if not better. The 6-year-old registered three outstanding triumphs last season, including a Grade 2 in April. Judged on that easy graded success, Sanctuaire looks the main danger to Sprinter Sacre.
Among the others, no horse is likely to make an impression. Kumbeshwar won last time, but likely to be seeking only third place here. Doeslessthanme also has something to find with the big two.
The clash indeed revolves around Sprinter Sacre and Sanctuaire, with the vote going to the first-named, who has more graded experience than any other contestant. Good luck to all the participants.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not reflect Bettor.com’s editorial policy.
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