• Unbeaten chaser makes it ten out of ten over fences
• Winner emulates Istabraq with hat-trick of Festival firsts
Sprinter Sacre, the flagship horse of British racing, emulated the iconic triple champion hurdler Istabraq's feat in 1999 by adding victory at Punchestown on Tuesday to those at Cheltenham and Aintree and delighting the huge Irish crowd which had turned up to honour a modern great.
Nicky Henderson's chaser may not have been at his brilliant best in completing his tenth straight win over fences in the Champion Chase, his 19-length superiority over Sizing Europe at Cheltenham reduced to a mere five and a half, but there was little doubt once the 1-9 shot took up the running from the long-time leader on the run to the final obstacle that he was going to prevail.
The winner may have been feeling the effects of his three quick championship races and that was certainly the thought of his trainer afterwards who nevertheless maintained that Sprinter Sacre may follow the same route next season.
"Job done. He was at his best at Cheltenham, he wasn't quite as sharp at Aintree and wasn't as sharp today," said Henderson. "Even if you go into what you think is an easy race, the atmosphere and the crowds are still going to take it out of you. To do all three [Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown] is very, very hard and he's had to work harder today than he has in the past. He didn't do anything wrong. He was clean and confident and fair play to Sizing Europe, who ran a hell of a race. I'd imagine he'll do the same next season."
Henderson added: "I hope everyone has enjoyed seeing him, that's why we're here. We love coming. Ireland is a nation of horse lovers and you feel you owe it to everybody to bring him here.
"There's no point leaving him at home and the reception and appreciation he got was very, very special."
The winning rider, Barry Geraghty, said the conditions, which were very testing, were another factor in blunting his mount's characteristic speed: "Sizing Europe put it up to us today and I had to work hard. Heavy ground probably doesn't suit my lad as well and from four out it wasn't as easy. It was still a good performance."
The tactics employed by the runner-up's connections looked for a stride or two after the turn for home to be putting Sprinter Sacre under serious pressure for the first time since he switched to chasing and the trainer Henry de Bromhead was rightly proud of Sizing Europe's terrific performance in defeat.
He said: "He [Sizing Europe] was superb. I said to Andrew [Lynch] to go and throw the kitchen sink at your man [Sprinter Sacre] and we got him off the bridle but he's an incredible horse. At least we saw Barry having to push him out today."
Earlier Jezki got back on the winning trail with a superb display in the Champion Novice Hurdle, turning the tables on Champagne Fever, who had him back in third at the Cheltenham Festival.
Asked why her runner was able to improve so significantly on that, his trainer, Jessica Harrington, replied: "I honestly don't know. I thought he was 100% going to Cheltenham, maybe he didn't like the cold weather, maybe it was the travelling or maybe it was the hill."
Stan James cut Jezki to 8-1 from 16-1 for next year's Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham after his 16-length victory and the winner is likely to remain over the smaller obstacles next season. Reported by guardian.co.uk 1 day ago.
• Winner emulates Istabraq with hat-trick of Festival firsts
Sprinter Sacre, the flagship horse of British racing, emulated the iconic triple champion hurdler Istabraq's feat in 1999 by adding victory at Punchestown on Tuesday to those at Cheltenham and Aintree and delighting the huge Irish crowd which had turned up to honour a modern great.
Nicky Henderson's chaser may not have been at his brilliant best in completing his tenth straight win over fences in the Champion Chase, his 19-length superiority over Sizing Europe at Cheltenham reduced to a mere five and a half, but there was little doubt once the 1-9 shot took up the running from the long-time leader on the run to the final obstacle that he was going to prevail.
The winner may have been feeling the effects of his three quick championship races and that was certainly the thought of his trainer afterwards who nevertheless maintained that Sprinter Sacre may follow the same route next season.
"Job done. He was at his best at Cheltenham, he wasn't quite as sharp at Aintree and wasn't as sharp today," said Henderson. "Even if you go into what you think is an easy race, the atmosphere and the crowds are still going to take it out of you. To do all three [Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown] is very, very hard and he's had to work harder today than he has in the past. He didn't do anything wrong. He was clean and confident and fair play to Sizing Europe, who ran a hell of a race. I'd imagine he'll do the same next season."
Henderson added: "I hope everyone has enjoyed seeing him, that's why we're here. We love coming. Ireland is a nation of horse lovers and you feel you owe it to everybody to bring him here.
"There's no point leaving him at home and the reception and appreciation he got was very, very special."
The winning rider, Barry Geraghty, said the conditions, which were very testing, were another factor in blunting his mount's characteristic speed: "Sizing Europe put it up to us today and I had to work hard. Heavy ground probably doesn't suit my lad as well and from four out it wasn't as easy. It was still a good performance."
The tactics employed by the runner-up's connections looked for a stride or two after the turn for home to be putting Sprinter Sacre under serious pressure for the first time since he switched to chasing and the trainer Henry de Bromhead was rightly proud of Sizing Europe's terrific performance in defeat.
He said: "He [Sizing Europe] was superb. I said to Andrew [Lynch] to go and throw the kitchen sink at your man [Sprinter Sacre] and we got him off the bridle but he's an incredible horse. At least we saw Barry having to push him out today."
Earlier Jezki got back on the winning trail with a superb display in the Champion Novice Hurdle, turning the tables on Champagne Fever, who had him back in third at the Cheltenham Festival.
Asked why her runner was able to improve so significantly on that, his trainer, Jessica Harrington, replied: "I honestly don't know. I thought he was 100% going to Cheltenham, maybe he didn't like the cold weather, maybe it was the travelling or maybe it was the hill."
Stan James cut Jezki to 8-1 from 16-1 for next year's Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham after his 16-length victory and the winner is likely to remain over the smaller obstacles next season. Reported by guardian.co.uk 1 day ago.