Jump racing’s superstar Sprinter Sacre is a top priced 4/11 to see off a class field in the John Smith’s Melling Chase at Aintree on Friday as he bids to take his unbeaten record over fences to nine.
The Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old has been hailed jumpings equivalent of flat superstar Frankel following his awesome display in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham where he cruised hom eon the bridle to slam the 2011 winner Sizing Europe by 19 lengths.
However, this is a different test as he is now stepping 2m 4f for the first time and his five rivals include the classy duo of Cue Card and Flemenstar.
Cue Card got within 7 lengths of Sprinter Sacre in the Arkle Trophy last year and Colin Tizzards’s charge showed he is very effective at a longer trip when winning the Betfair Ascot Chase and the Ryanair Chase on his last two starts.
Flemenstar missed Cheltenham after he was found to have a lung infection when he was beaten by Sir Des Champs in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February, but trainer Peter Casey reports his stable star to be ready and raring to go.
As well as Sprinter Sacre, Henderson saddles Finian’s Rainbow, who took the race 12 months ago after his success in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, which he did not defend last month.
The Nick Williams-trained For Non Stopand Mad Moose from the Nigel Twiston-Davies stable complete the line-up.
