JUMPS RACING PHENOMENON Sprinter Sacre made it nine successive wins at Aintree today by winning the Grade One Melling Chase in impressive fashion.
The seven-year-old — known as the Frankel of the jumps scene — made light of the extra half-mile to his preferred distance of two miles to cruise home 4.5 lengths clear of the much-fancied Cue Card. Irish raider Flemenstar, who had missed last month’s Cheltenham Festival specifically for this race, was a distant third.
Sprinter Sacre — trained by Nicky Henderson — had failed to win on his previous outing over the distance in a hurdle race a couple of years ago but never looked troubled under Barry Geraghty. Geraghty brought him upsides Cue Card, who won impressively over this distance at Cheltenham, in the run-up to the final fence and then eased him home at the prohibitive odds of 1/3 on favourite.
Henderson, who looks almost certain to be crowned British champion trainer this season, has trained many great horses through the past 30 years but Sprinter Sacre, winner of 12 of his 14 starts and placed in the other two, is the best for him.
“Barry was never worried about it (the trip),” said the 62-year-old. “When you get something as special as that you have to mind it, you have to look after it. That is as good as you get.”
Geraghty, who teamed up with Henderson to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month with Bobs Worth, also professed that Sprinter Sacre was a bit out of the ordinary. “He’s something special, he’s perfection. He was foot perfect,” said the 33-year-old Irishman.
- Aintree Day 21/9
Pictures: PA images
Later, a second fatality marred the day’s action when Little Josh was put down.
- additional reporting AFP
Anyone seen Mel?
@TheHospitalPass: he’s preparing the appeal
@TheHospitalPass: remember he said that Tyrone and Kerry are the top 2 teams in the country a few days ago. What a genius
Derry broke the Tyrone code,did I get that right mel.
@Stephen Doherty: lots on here have made similar statements
@TheHospitalPass: Mel who?
@Joe Healy: Mel who pipes up when Tyrone win but goes missing when they lose in the championship. He’s good craic
@Kevin Mullin: always here
@TheHospitalPass: I’m here unlike you
@Stephen Doherty: we still are
@mel roberts: Hard luck to Tyrone Mel, they were worthy champions last year and at least they have a second chance.
Best team by far. Tyrone just relying on physicality and as usual made a balls of it. 2 red cards is typical of this outfit. If they don’t sort out their tackles, this will be repeated probably against Sligo. Well done Derry
@Noel Lynn: 2 absolutely ridiculous reds to give away, especially the first one. How can you lose your head that easily
@Noel Lynn: it’s a very hard game to tackle fairly in.
@Noel Lynn: mayo v Tyrone in the qualifiers would be a juicy one
@Finnster: ya was just thinking same
Great game from Derry, well on top all over. Will give Ulster some rattle now. Tyrone haven’t been really been at it this year and the back door will be tough this year. Thought the Kennedy red was pretty soft but at the same time it’s not the first time we’ve seen them in trouble with discipline. Works for them some days, caught today.
Tyrone discipline is an absolute disgrace. Week in week out they are involved in brawls and getting red cards for fun. Seems to be every week they are appealing another card. Conor McKenna the usual suspect and once again delivered in getting his red. Pathetic and an awful influence especially for the young players. Would not let me son watch them play, not for the red cards because he’d know better, but for the tragic approach taken. No wonder nobody watches anymore.
@Stanley: In the words of an adopted Derry girl “You might want to think about wising up”.
Might have been better accepting their bans and trying to learn from them
Tyrone might consider the Tailteann cup after that display!
@Desheen: Not Good Enough fir it
Something not right in the Tyrone camp. Fellas quitting the panel, other players publicly criticising fellas for leaving the panel..haven’t been at it this year.
C’mon, Mel. Spill the beans..
Cliques, favoritism, club clashes..?
Derry were always going to be a tough one, the sort of game were ypu need to dig in and get a result. Didnt happen, Derry played well, bossed the midfield and we were petulant. Two red cards that an u11 would be embarressed by. Better team won, fair play Derry but you get these days with us, also get All Ireland finals though.
Please,please can we outlaw the back pass in gaelic football,destroying the game,and the enjoyment thereof
Jesus, first round of qualifiers gonna have Mayo, Tyrone, Armagh, Clare, Monaghan/Derry, possibly Dublin or Kildare depending on the draw.
@Alan Kenny: provincials are so last year. Qualifiers are where the cool teams play their football
@Desheen: Rte gonna be raging
Remember seeing Derry playing in the 50s.and in particular 1958 I think it was,with Jim McKeever and the Cribbin’s ,that team was magic,didn’t win much,no Derry come near since,maybe this team has ‘it’
@Sean Doheny: Didn’t a Derry team not win the All-Ireland in 1993 with a famous team?
@Sean Doheny: you alright there Sean. As far as I remember Derry won an All Ireland in 1993 would you believe. Star studded team they had too.
Where the hell is Mel!??
@Billy Davies: the man is entitled to have a few pints and reflect
@John O Reilly: in Sally’s I’d say
@Tom kenny: was in parkhead yesterday. Watched that shambles from Glasgow thank god
I’ve been in glasgow watching Celtic win the league. I’ll front up. Seen this coming. Fair play Derry. Onto the next. I’m still here unlike hospital pass
Derry bring a dog fight & Tyrone needed that. They are miles from where they need to be and evident from the league. They’ll need to cop on fairly quick or they’ll be dumped out of the qualifiers.
@archie bald henry: no dog fight today. Derry just better today in all areas in fairness.
@Mel Kilcoo would beat Tyrone :)
Derry won in 1993 alright,but weren’t near as magic as the 58 team (my opinion)
I was at parkhead today. Shite Jobby!! I’m here give me pelters it’s deserved!! Seen it coming. We are still gonna win the all Ireland
@mel roberts: Fair play Mel. Take the bad with the good. Derry deserved the win.
Tyrone usually don’t follow up their all Ireland winning years with another the following year. It’s next year I’d be watching out for ye.
@mel roberts:
Fair play on travelling to Celtic Park today.
Hail Hail and up the Dubs.