SPRINTER SACRE HAS won the feature Queen Mother Champion Chase on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.
It was a second Grade One of the festival for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville following an opening day victory with Altior.
The 5/1 shot took control of the race from two out and never looked like being headed as the challenge of race favourite Un De Sceaux and Special Tiara faded.
The win marks a stunning return to form for the 2013 winner having suffered a succession of set-backs following his win at Prestbury Park three years ago.
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Speaking after the race, Henderson said:
It’s been a long, long journey – those were two very, very grim years.
“That was unbelievable. That was about dreams, wasn’t it?”
De Boinville added that he was “speechless about that, it means so much to us.
“For him to come back like that – all credit to the guv’nor, we had a couple of desperate years with him and nearly retried him.
Sprinter Sacre wins the Queen Mother Champion Chase
SPRINTER SACRE HAS won the feature Queen Mother Champion Chase on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.
It was a second Grade One of the festival for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville following an opening day victory with Altior.
The 5/1 shot took control of the race from two out and never looked like being headed as the challenge of race favourite Un De Sceaux and Special Tiara faded.
The win marks a stunning return to form for the 2013 winner having suffered a succession of set-backs following his win at Prestbury Park three years ago.
Speaking after the race, Henderson said:
“That was unbelievable. That was about dreams, wasn’t it?”
De Boinville added that he was “speechless about that, it means so much to us.
“For him to come back like that – all credit to the guv’nor, we had a couple of desperate years with him and nearly retried him.
Cheltenham Day Two preview: Mullins likely to make it another day to remember
Mullins and Walsh continue their winning ways on day two of Cheltenham 2016
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Champion Chase Cheltenham 2016 Cheltenham Festival grade one Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins