Super Sacre romps to victory

Sprinter Sacre landed the odds with a brilliant display in the John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree.

The Arkle Trophy winner led at halfway after Australia Day had jumped waywardly in front, and from that point it was a one-horse race, with his three rivals well behind even though Toubab made a brave effort to stay in touch.

The 1-7 shot, the second leg of a great treble for Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty – the trainer went on to a four-timer – came home without being asked a question by 13 lengths, while Toubab was 36 lengths clear of third home Kudu Country despite not getting close enough to challenge the winner.

Geraghty said: “He’s got some scope, it’s unbelievable. It’s just the style he does it in. The way he jumped down the back from fence to fence – I don’t think I’ve ever ridden a horse that jumps and travels the way he does. Time will tell, hopefully he can be the best (I’ve ridden).”

Henderson added: “Anything but perfection is going to be disappointing from him. He is spectacular and a joy to watch – when it’s over. It’s been fun up to now, but now it’s frightening, you come expecting to see what thankfully we have seen again.

“He’s growing up all the time and he can only get stronger. He’s getting very sensible, his scope and swagger is quite extraordinary. He has this aura about him.

“We’ve always said he knows he’s very, very good looking, but just because they are beautiful it doesn’t always make them the best, but with him it does – everything fits, he has the athleticism and attitude. There doesn’t seem to be any flaws in him.”

Henderson also trains current Champion Chase hero Finian’s Rainbow and he expects the two to end up locking horns.

He went on: “We’ve got a whole summer to think about things, but he (Sprinter Sacre) is an out-and-out two-miler and I can’t see him getting any further. Finian’s Rainbow has the scope to go further, but if he sticks at two, they’re going to have to meet at some point, maybe even before Cheltenham.”

Paul Nicholls said of Toubab: “It was such a small field that we were praying he’d have a clear round. The winner has just had a school round really. We might to go to Sandown next.”