No Queen Mother bid for Sacre

Owner Raymond Mould has moved to quash any speculation that his brilliant novice Sprinter Sacre could be supplemented for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

The Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old is a short-priced favourite for the Racing Post Arkle Chase after stretching his 100% record over fences to three with a superb performance at Newbury on Friday.

“It’s hopefully the Arkle this year and then go on to the Champion Chase next year. I’d rule the Champion Chase out this year and Mr Henderson has never mentioned it. He’s got Finian’s Rainbow in it anyway. We’ll stick to the natural progression,” Mould told At The Races.

“If we’re lucky enough to win the Arkle then we’ll hopefully go for the Champion Chase, and there’s no reason in my opinion this horse won’t get further.

“I have thought about the King George for him in the future at some stage, but we’ll take it one step at a time. We’re not going to rush him – he’s not very old.”

Mould also revealed Sprinter Sacre had a wind operation after fading into third place behind Al Ferof in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Festival.

“The horse had a wind problem at Cheltenham last year, that’s why he didn’t get up the hill, and he’s much bigger and stronger now. He had a bit of a wind problem which has been rectified,” he added.

Owner John Hales is relishing the prospect of Al Ferof‘s rematch with Sprinter Sacre in the Arkle on the opening day of the Festival.

He is taking heart from the fact that Al Ferof, who has taken well to fences himself, stormed up the hill 12 months ago to land the Supreme Novices’ – five and a quarter lengths ahead of Sprinter Sacre.

Hales said: “He is all set for the Arkle. It was a brilliant performance from Sprinter Sacre on a flat track (at Newbury) but we did him last year up the hill, and our horse is stronger now as well. We are looking forward to it.”