Queen Mother Champion Chase

Should hear something more definite soon I hope, and really hope we see SS at the festival in march.

Although having said that, there is an argument that the race will be a lot more competitive,and from a betting point of view a lot more interest I would think.

I think it possible we may have a few that would otherwise have been in different races,so if SS were declared a non runner then the market could look a lot different as it does now.
Anyway I did say there is an argument,weve started that already

Am I the only person on here not that impressed with SDG??

As you say, we all see it differently. I accept that Sire has not shown a liking for Cheltenham to date but he has improved by at least 20lb in the last 3 months and is learning all the time.

Cue Card drops back and takes it?

buddeliea 28 Dec 13 10:10 
Am I the only person on here not that impressed with SDG??

No.

No doubt a Champion Chase is more prestigious than a Ryanair. However I think Cue Card is way more likely to win a Ryanair than a Champion Chase.

The Sprinter Sacre thing really makes this race a lot more exciting. Had he come out the other day and laughed at his rivals as he was expected to, then the build-up would have been boring.

If he does run, then it's likely he'll be going straight there, in which case we'll all be relying on the comments and quotes of Henderson and BJG. It's all guesswork if it comes to that but at the same time, it's sure to divide opinion.

Taking SS out of the equation, I think SDG is very good on soft or Heavy.  Good going come March, I couldn't have him at double figures.  I too think Cue Card would take the beating.  Would Mullins think of entering Champagne Fever if he is such a good thing for the Arkle and Arvika not liking Chelt or even Felix Yonger.  That way he keeps them apart.  Maybe talking rubbish but who knows?

The seven-year-old was found to be suffering from an irregular heartbeat after being pulled up by Barry Geraghty on his seasonal return in Friday's Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton.

Sprinter Sacre returned to Henderson's Seven Barrows base on Friday night but was sent to Newmarket for assessment by Celia Marr, a specialist in equine internal medicine and cardiology, on Saturday.

Marr confirmed the original diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and decided to give the horse some time to see if his heartbeat regulated itself, which Henderson reports it has now done.

He said on Sunday morning: "There's been quite a big turnaround since yesterday and it's all for the good.

"Quite soon after I put out an update yesterday afternoon, I spoke to Celia and she told me he had done what we hoped he would do and the problem had righted itself and it has stayed that way overnight.

"It's all correct this morning and we have sent a box to pick him up and he will be back home later today.

Profiles N J Henderson Sprinter Sacre (FR)
"The good thing is the fact it has self-righted means we don't have to go into the process of using any drugs. Quinidine is the normal solution for this kind of problem but it's a risky drug and it's good news we don't have to go down that route."

Henderson revealed further tests are planned for later this week and underlined the problem is a very recent development.

"The plan now is to bring him home and give him a couple of quiet days before starting light exercise," he said.

"Celia wants to come down to Seven Barrows on Friday and canter him using an ECG, so we will see how that goes.

"It will be nice to have him back at home, in his own box and eating his own food. He's much more comfortable in his usual environment.

"The important thing is that it is only a very recent onset (of the problem). Barry was so quick in picking up something was wrong and in pulling him up at Kempton."

It had been suggested the problem might rule out Sprinter Sacre for the season, but Henderson will take his time before making any plans for his seven-time Grade One winner.

"It would be speculation [to say he won't run again this season]. We're talking about cantering him again on Friday so you wouldn't rule out training him again this season," he said.

"It's got to be a step at a time with him and we will obviously know more in the coming weeks as he is back in light exercise and we will continue to monitor him."

If SS didn't turn up then I would be concentrating on cue card and captain conan.....if they run.......practically anything could turn up in this race if SS dosen't now though.....it's fascinating trying to try and 2nd guess what's going to happen with the Ryanair now too because SS is going to have a knock on effect all round.

That's true but he wouldn't need to give him any start if cue card doesn't run and captain conan does now would he!!!

If SS doesn't run then hendo will want a representative in there and that could very well be Conan, we know that he's effective over 2 miles and has a question mark over him at 2.4 at cheltenham, he got beat by SDG of course but his performance through the race was a very impressive one as he travelled like the best horse, he stopped as if shot turning in and being his first run when the stables runners were behaving as if they needed the race he must be given another chance...he's a better horse than SDG for me all day long, I couldn't care less what the ratings say in this instance....only opinion though

Difficult to see this being a Binocular part two imo. Very hard to back right now, equally very hard to lay it too. If ruled out tomorrow, because he is Sprinter Sacre and it has happened in the past, he wont drift out to a silly price, yes he will be left in the market but difficult to see him going out to 3 figs after betfair put him to the bottom of their market. My guess would be someone might put something up in the 20s but wont get much bigger till at least the end of Feb.

Remember Kicking King, supposedly out for the season, straight out to 1000, miraculous recovery, wins the blue riband, Binocular was similar but even i backed at 150s after having been 1000s, so the clues were kind of there as he did move in and out a fair few times in the market before word came that he was after all a runner. SS imo is different, same yard as binoc, happened again, doubts around him, why isnt he a 7s-12s poke now? Hes evs to 6/4

STS hoping Sprinter dont make it, so his £2 e/w on SDG comes in, imo SDG better going right handed re form in book. But wont make any difference if Sprinter shows on day.

Correct Howdi and odds against at present, maybe like picking up money off the floor?

Rather you than me stevo1, 50/50 losing me doe, not the way i would like to go on punting!

Racing Post ‏@RacingPost 4m
Sprinter Sacre's heart rate monitored by vet Celia Marr as "perfectly normal" after cantering at Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows yard...

...Marr, a specialist in equine internal medicine, added: "I'm pleased, these are the results I'd have been hoping to see." Story to follow.


Still could nt take evens myself at all till i saw him under some pressure

if sprinter don't turn up then beneficent could be aimed at the cc and as a festival winner who holds a few verdicts over arvika could offer a bit of value ! plenty of twists and turns to come the market is all over the place !

Are the entries for the Gold Cup and the Champion Chase being made today?

If there is ever a no bet race for me, this is the one.

You are taking a hopeful punt on Sprinter's wellbeing (whether you are a layer or a backer).  I see no point in backing some of the others because if Sprinter turns up he wins.  If you back Sprinter, you are not guaranteed a run.

I love antepost, but this is definitely one for the day.  If you back Sire De Grugy, Beneficient etc and Sprinter turns up, I'm sure on the day you'll regret putting those on.  Then again, if you back them and he doesn't turn up, you're in a great position; but in my opinion is it worth the risk, when there are about 25 other races to choose from?

Totally agree with the last 2 posts.
Leave alone till the day