Sprinter Sacre

festivalfanatic     07 Mar 11 10:18 
Stan James just pushed Spirit Son out to 8/1. Interesting to see whether they are flying a kite, or maybe they know something?

The chance of any of the monkeys in stan james "knowing something" is a laughable conception.

He's running, just watched trainer on RPTV.

No more clues GI? didnt see the interview

He's running Sprinter Sacre, Spirit Son and Gibb River.

Gibb River will go and win and we will all scratch our heads then!!!

Good,and so he should,well the first two anyway.

that footage is old u do know that was taken on his press day 2 weeks ago he will run though

just watched his press day on ruk the only horse the trainer patted and gave attention to was SPIRIT SON  very intresting

Weekender Stable Tour (today)

Sprinter Sacre
He has been a model of consistancy. Having won both bumpers he ccntested in the spring he finished second on his debut over urdles at Ascot in November. We knew he was better than that and he has proved it in his two subsequent outings at Ffos Las and Ascot  where he was a wide margin winner both times. He is in the Supreme novices hurdle as well as the Neptune Investment Novices hurdle. I tghink he will go with Spirit Son for the Supreme as he doesnt look as if he wants further, guaged on his homework. I am very pleased with him and all has gone to plan with him. He will make a fine chaser next year.

Spirit Son
He won a listed contest in France before Michael Buckley bought him. We were delighted with his debut success in England at Huntingdon in January showing a fine turn of foot. He followed up in much more testing ground at Exeter last month, in Listed company. The runner up Cedre Bleu had beaten stable mate Titan De Sarti on his previous outing. He is in the Supreme Novices Hurdle and definately has the speed for the better ground. He is a lovely horse and all ready to go. He worked very well at home last week

I've had a decent punt on Sacre at 25's but when I placed the bet I had a saver on him for the Neptunes @ 210/1

Everything I've read tells me he favours Spirit Son, wonder if he'll change his mind and stick Sacre in the longer race [;)]

No

aye, your probably right. Still, stranger things have happened.

Good to read positive statements about him going, over the past couple of days, really excited to see how he gets on against Cue Card.

Rumors Geraghty rides Spirit Son and McCoy is on Sprinter Sacre floating around this morning.

Yep Henderson confirmed that Geraghty has picked Spirit Son at a preview night last night. Sprinter Sacre to be partnered by McCoy. So much for me rabbling on about Geraghty was on Sprinter Sacre. He must have changed his mind. [smiley:crazy]

Somebody posted elsewhere that Buckley had to BG that he either rode both Spirit Son and Finians Rainbow or neither. Makes sense I suppose. AP will almost certainly have sat on Sprinter Sacre and probably schooled him, as he is a regular at Seven Barrows.

McCoy picked the wrong one when he had the choice between Binocular and Captain Cee Bee so maybe it will work the other way this time[;)]

Well I guess Buckley has put a hell of a lot of money into Hendo's yard. I think that's why NJH always said he likes Spirit Son more. Although I've been a bit biased towards Sprinter Sacre as I've backed him at bigger prices Spirit Son does look the hurdling type. I wouldn't say there is much between them though ability wise.

I'm not too despondent. At least we're going to get a run and AP's not a bad substitute! Convinced there isn't much between them and the reports from most of the preview nights indicated that weighing room colleagues indicated that BG marginally preferred Sprinter. He could well have been bounced into making this choice.

In addition to Finians Rainbow Buckley also has Titan De Sarti, Lush Life, & Mossley all with decent chances.

bg had earmarked to be on spirit bar a problem for a couple of weeks

tinkler rides gibb river

Yet he said he still hadn't made a decision 6 days ago?

Well i am just glad i am getting a run for my money,AP is a pretty good substitute!!,and i suspect their aint a lot between them anyway.Think i will get Spirit as a saver though.

you shouldn't believe everything you hear or read mastermind

pretty poor though to say that if he had made his mind up. anyway AP is not a bad sub is he

it's not quite that cut and dried, they don't like to say too much as things can always change, injuries etc

one of the 3 henderson horses had a problem about 10 days ago, missed work and was touch and go to make it, galloped today and given all clear to run

ah ok thanks elise. do you know who rides a media luz in the triumph by any chance?

no bud, just know about the supreme horses sorry

i was at towcester preview last night.

mat chapman said he had heard that buckley had said to barry if he didn't ride spirit son he wouldn't ride rainbow.
he then went onto say he phoned buckley and barry to find out the truth, and was told by buckley that barry would decide what he wants to ride in the supreme and McCoy would ride the other. either way he would have a top pilot so he was very happy

As I said on the 14th of Feb there was no question which horse BG was going to ride. The only thing that would change his mind is if Spirit Son failed to sparkle in his final piece of work. I would imagine that will take place Friday or Saturday morning and all being well we'll know for sure.

If things pan out ok it won't mucvh matter who they get to ride Sprinter Sacre as he's unlikely to be good enough. Spirit Son will hit the front at the top of the hill and nothing not even Cue Card will see the way he went. Helluva horse this just wait!!!!

On what basis is Sprinter Sacre not good enough you fool?

i know when barry rode gibb river at winc in its 3rd run, even at that stage they felt spirit was just a touch ahead of the rest, a couple had the option to go 2m 4 and a couple have not sparkled, so it was just a case of seeing how the final preps went and ensuring they were all well

it wouldn't surprise me if they don't finish in the betting order though, there isn't much between them

Elise, do you know which one of the henderson's trio was it touch and go as whether they would make it or not?

yes, it was gibb river which had a leg balloon up, they swam it rather than gallops, possibly a bit of birch in the leg just one of those things, given the all clear now

While I concede Sprinter Sacre may not be good enough right now to win the Supreme, for he may be a bit babyish and not filled out yet. If he doesn't win at least 17 Grade 1's in his career I will eat my hat.

Oh well I'm a fool it would appear and Sprinter Sacre is going to win 17 Garde 1's Big Buck's has won 5 to date so he may have a bit of a task on his hands.

You are correct on SS being a big baby though. Like Finian's Rainbow his future is over fences and you can be assured he's the 2nd string who won't be knocked about.

sprinter sacre is the better horse in he hendo camp on what ive seen on the track anyway! obviously barry thinks differently but ill be dieppointed if sprinter sacre is out of the frame tbh.

@Masterminded "On what basis is Sprinter Sacre not good enough you fool? "

I backed Spirit Son let's see who's the fool on Tuesday you silly boy.

Masterminded
You said Sprinter S was a machine then have said not much between them both,Spirit S, ability wise??

Be suprised both machines??

im delighted Barry on Spirit Son, im on at 12/1 in double with So Young 8/1.
I am hoping he as good as i have seen and heard, Cue Card and Zaidpour the 2 i fear most

If you read the thread back since pre xmas ive made one or 2 comments concerning Sprinter Sacre while he was 20-1 plus.....a lot of things quoted on here are excellent , some not so. The thruth is BG had a real tough call hear as whatever happens next week these 2 are both real top notchers. Im a big Sprinter Sacre man clearly and have known about him before he even ran. In the long term he really could be very,very special and all at seven barrows think so. That said Spirit son is probably more mature and more the type for the supreme. As we know the owner of spirit son is one of the main Patrons for nicky and this is 100 % behind BG choice and nickys bullish comments last week. Clearly Bg has to think of the other horses he owns including finnains rainbow and as it was a " toss of a coin " the choice was obvious.

That said to my knowledge and this is 100 % correct i know BG believes Sprinter Scare to be one of the most exciting horses he s ever sat on, in the long term he wouldnt swop him for ANYTHING. im hoping all will go well next tue but come next season and beyond, over fences and if he stays in one piece i believe you ll all be looking at a arkle/queen mother horse and very possible winner. A brave call i know but the truth never the less.

Good luck all next week.

Agree ^

From what i have seen on the track its hard to say which one has more chance in the Supreme.I am on Sprinter at nice odds but wil be having a saver on Spirit on the day.Neither may not be good enough on the day,but at least if one of them is i will make a profit.

budd i am in the same shoes. i have actually had a lil dab on spirit son at 14s but only a cover bet really. it doesn't take a genius to work out that spirit son is a more forward type and hes clearly very good. but as istabraq said sprinter sacre could be a very special horse. that is why i like him. some horses just catch my eye now and again and this is one.

Lets keep the faith on Sprinter....cup half full chaps you just get more back when you win. If you were the owner and a patron of the size of Buckley then yuou call the shots...simple

Has BG's decision been formally announced to the press yet?

Can't see it anywhere.

Horse is a chaser who doesn't settle and wants soft ground.

(Lay pre race and green up jumping the 2nd.)

keep guessing Johnny the Guesser. HOW ON EARTH you can think he needs soft ground in unbelieveable. I have never seen a NH Hunt move this well in all my life. You won't get the chance to green out. Anyway only mugs and **** Green Out.

So you agree he's a chasing type who doesn't settle then? - Not an ideal Supreme type for me.

I think his action indicates he would prefer softer ground.

You think Sprinter Sacre has a soft ground action?

Spirit Son is the one with a massive soft ground action, and as much as I like BJG (who say's Spirit Son will like better ground) I'll believe it when I see it.

Not seen a knee action like Spirit Son's since Coolnagorna.

He is a good horse and has a chance...If I can cover him in the race by laying just before the off and then banging in a 'keep' back bet 2 or 3 points higher...which I think will get matched before they've jumped the 2nd then I'd be a mug not to.

I agree with Gashboy. The whole razzamatazz of Cheltenham might get to him and the course might not suit. However, to suggest that he needs soft ground is nonsense. He is a very good mover and NH allowed him to run on ground at Ayr last Spring which was quicker than that he will encounter on Tuesday.

I'd be more worried about Spirit Son's ability to act on it - he's uproven.

If Sprinter Sacre needs soft ground I'll give the game up.

As will I. I do agree he's a chaser, however plenty of chaser have won and placed in this before. Including Best Mate and War of Attrition who were both Gold Cup winners. I also agree he hasn't settled to date, however the pace was very slow at Ascot, and when it was better at Ffos Las he settled better, so that can be overcome. NH is a master with horses like this, just look at Soldatino last year. But soft ground is not what he needs, he blooming floats.

Nice horse who will collect the bronze medal behind CUE CARD and AL FEROF.

Has BG's decision been formally announced to the press yet?

Can't see it anywhere.

Anyone else a bit surprised that 2 days on this hasn't been announced to the press? Maybe it isn't a done deal.

Will be Spirit Son. Rumours NH said at previews and market wiould indicate so.

Hendo said at a preview night that Barry rides Spirit Son. I find it strange that nothing has been mentioned to the press yet!?

Be in Hendo's column tomorrow as top story. Nap.

We need perpective Barry cannot decide and you get a biiger price with AP on...no problems with that

Well here it is from the atr website just to confirm.

Barry Geraghty admitted on Friday night that he had made “the hardest call of my career” in choosing Spirit Son over Sprinter Sacre in the Stan James Supreme Novice Hurdle which opens next week’s Cheltenham Festival.

He revealed the dilemma that he has faced over recent weeks and said: “This is something that I’ve been trying to get my head around for three weeks. Both horses worked last Saturday and each went really well which didn’t make things any easier.

“I just had to go away and think it through. I watched endless re-runs of all their races and went through all their form.

“They are both exceptional talents and they could hardly have been more impressive on their latest outings but in the final analysis Spirit Son’s form just weighs in that bit stronger.”

Sprinter Sacre came home on the bit when winning at 30-100 at Ascot on his latest start and Geraghty has ridden the five-year-old in all five career starts, including two winning bumpers and just one defeat on his reappearance at Ascot in November.

He has been on the unbeaten Spirit Son when winning both hurdle starts this year following a win at Auteuil in September.

He continued: “It’s very hard to evaluate a horse winning on the bridle as Sprinter Sacre has done so I could very easily have got this wrong — he does everything so very easy.

“But when you break down Spirit Son’s latest win at Exeter it matches up with the best. He beat Cedre Bleu 21 lengths at Exeter and that horse had previously gone to Newbury and beaten our useful juvenile Titan De Sarti by ten lengths and he’s right up there in the betting for the Fred Winter.

“AP’s certainly landed himself a top class spare ride on Sprinter Sacre but it’s not just about us two, there is that little matter of last year’s bumper winner, Cue Card!”

well that tells me that either horse could win,so am happy with my bet on sprinter,but as i have said i will be backing spirit as a saver.

Was it really ever in any doubt?...Hardest decision of his career my toot. Good Drama at it's best. How come everyone and their uncle new Barry made his mind up when he got off Spirit Son after beating Cedre Blue ? Only reason it wasn't made public is they wanted to see how they worked prior to the big day. Weren't exactly flip flopping in the betting were they?

Not a hard decision at all. Spirit Son is a much more forward type ready to take on the big boys whereas Spirit Sacre is potentially a chaser and an Arkle horse what's so difficult about deciding which would be best for the Supreme.

The biggest certainty in the race is  AP won't be knocking lumps out of him  if he come under pressure before the 2nd last. Lovely horse with a huge future ahead of him and will be well looked after.

Good luck though to anyone who backed him. You can never tell he could find it all a bit to quick for him but then again they could easily find him a bit too quick for them as he does travel really well.

Both teams should lay Cue Card that way your certain not to lose because one of these two will win IMO

By: This user is offline. Dr Martin Luther King
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Nice horse who will collect the bronze medal behind CUE CARD and AL FEROF. 

Al Ferof doesnt have the speed for this and should be in the Neptune. Extremely confident either of Hendo's will blow him away.

Think I read on one of the Chelt preview threads that Buckley had put pressure on BG,that he was to ride Spirit Son if he wanted to keep ride on his others.Must check this though.

Paper never rufuses ink mate? I doubt if Buckley would do such a thing or lost any sleep over it with AP waiting in the wings

Drama over and Champion jockey on board....hardly tragic news and every chance

Indeed, either way we have a top jock on board. Cannot wait for the race, lets hope for the usual frenetic pace and this one just cruises round. Can't wait to see him up against Cue Card.

AL ferof will give CUE CARD a nice lead to the home bend where the hendo bridal ponces will be a spent force having never experienced a brutal festival race before and neither will have the requisite tools in the box to deal with it at this stage of their respective careers. The race will be all over before the last. Nicholls grey will plug admirably on for scond place.

Ive had a dream

Last year everyone was calling Menorah a bridle ponce and a flat track bully. It's quite interesting if you watch A Bromleys view on the horses on the betfair preview video. He bought both of them.

Masterminded, It's probaly staring me in the face but I cant find the prevew video you mention, can you post the link, thanks.

14/1 Coral's NRNB - thats some reaction!!!

As good as Paddy Power's Cue Card offer is 14/1 could be the ew bet of the meeting!!

GI MAC http://bit.ly/fZ76qL

It's quite good but like all of these things you have to take their views with a pinch of salt IMO

Good videos Masterminded

Nicholls seems really keen on Spirit Son, and he should know through the lines with his horses.

So Young's price has crashed all round this morning in the Supreme which has contributed to Sacre's drift as well as the jockey news

Dunno what Mullins intends doing with SY - his price crashed in the Neptune as well

14/1 Coral's NRNB - thats some reaction!!!

Back to 10's. Somebody's obviously had £50EW........

I like Willie Mullins, but every year is the same. Stop messing about and aim it at a race then only change your plans if the conditions are wildly different to what was expected. All along he's said ZP Supreme, and Neptune for SY. Now for no apparent reason other than that he fancies messing about he's considering swapping them. FWIW I actually think SY would be better in the Supreme, but this could have been stated a long time ago.

I had jumped on Spirit Son very early but was a wee bit concerned when I saw he was going to take on Cedre Blue.

I had replayed his win over Titan De Sarte who was a big talking horse at Sevenbarrows and he simply galloped him into the ground.

While Cedre Blue is without doubt a chasing type he still has a very high cruising speed but Spirit Son went passed him like he was a tree.

You could argue Cedre Blue never ran his race but it was still a very likeable performance.

Comes as no surprise PN fancies him as no doubt he feels Cedre Blue has a big future ahead of him.

Cant believe punters are still trying to get CUE CARD beat

Thanks anyway [;)]

Traded at 1.3 in running

might trade shorter at Aintree i.m.o ,just failed to get home ..

Still wish Barry had ridden it.

Thought McCoy got there too early

There is no question about that

Gutted, backed this one and never traded out - looked all over the winner and agree produced a tad too early, although soundly beaten at the finish. If he recovers from his exerions I would back him at Aintree every day of the week to beat exactly the same field as ran here today

Sometimes love is blind and this is one of them AP wasn't hard on him as I said all along it just wasn't his race but what a great race he ran.

I was firmly in the Spirit Son camp but that man PN does it yet again and with a horse that probably needs 3 miles If you didn't laugh you'd cry.

What I did take out of the race apart from the obvious. Sprinter Sacre will make a top class chaser, was Spirit Son is one helluva good hurdler.

He never settled for Barry was sweating like a pig and wasall over the shop pulling harder than one. What I liked most about him is due to the fact he hadn't settled properly he lost his place very quickly but picked up again in great style only to be done by Ruby. 

The ground was also a tad too fast for him and this a horse will be in the top rank over hurdles next season.

I'm disappointed he got beat but I never forget these are only novices. I think he's run a great race in what might turn out to be a much better race than last years despite Cue Card.

Another year on his back, learns to settle and given a bit more cut I can see this very classy horse back here in the firing line for the Champion Hurdle or at te very least taking the Tote Trophy of a big weight.

Disagree - Spirit Son should go chasing and Sprinter should be aimed at the Champion Hurde imvho.

Sprinter was going best of all turning in. However he didn't jump the second last well and he landed flat footed at the last too. I've never seen AP give a horse such a tender ride when in contention in a championship race. He wouldn't have won and he was clearly under instruction.

Looked very closely at all the horses in the pre-parade ring for this race. In a high quality field he was the stand out looker but is still a bit narrow and light. I understand why NH wanted to put him away. If he summers well, this horse could be anything. He firmly put to bed the notion that he needs soft ground. here's that Arkle 2012 market!?

Not sure about that ff, he ran a good race. Probably got to front too soon but he was travelling so well.

Its the first time SS has come under the whip, so we still dont know what he finds.

Still a good run.

I believe that history will prove that the 2011 Supreme was a very high class renewal. The 2 horses to take from it for steeplechasing for me are Sprinter and Cue Card, as they both have the size and scope to reach very high rank. I hope all 4 are lucky, they are all very good.

absolute machine!!defo the best horse in the race to my eye! was a tad keen and yes ap got there too soon!!absolutely smashin horse!

cue card gone backwards imo! that was not a good showning imo!

showing*

I'm going to say it now. Sprinter Sacre could become an all time great. I have seriously never seen a horse go through the Supreme in this way. Absolutely tanking. And the time was exceptional. IMO Spirit Son and Al Ferof look like (top class) stayers who managed to get up the hill, whereas the without a shadow of doubt the best horse in the race was Sprinter Sacre. And I belie anyone to disagree with that statement.

Go and watch back in front win the supreme and then say you've never seen a horse go through the supreme in this way.

Totally agree^^. We have all been raving about him before he even touched a hurdle. I really do wonder if Barry had ridden him he could have won. Not knocking AP in anyway but the horse was there far too early and used his burst of pace before getting to the hill and hit the last and got out stayed. He had them all at it on the bend but that wasn't the finish line. Personally I would love to see this chap in the Champion Hurdle next year. I mean I know they have got chasing in mind with him but I would be very tempted to go the Champion Hurdle route with a very exciting young horse that will surely be better for the experience of a real race. The supreme was the first proper race he's had and when he mature's a bit he's gna be fantastic.

He was clearly the fastest horse in the race!

11 Mar 11 15:37

Horse is a chaser who doesn't settle and wants soft ground.

(Lay pre race and green up

Think you meant back pre-race and green up.

Didn't copy properly

"Lay pre race and green up before 2nd" - ie nick a point or 2 two with him not settling early