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Sacre shines to get off the mark at Kempton

3 minute read

Sprinter’s brother looks to have bright future of his own.

Sprinter Sacre winning the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
Sprinter Sacre winning the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) Picture: Pat Healy Photography

Flinteur Sacre may have a way to go to emulate his brilliant brother Sprinter Sacre , but he took the first steps towards doing that with an effortless victory at Kempton.

Having finished second on his debut at Newbury last month, the JP McManus-owned gelding had little trouble in going one better in the second division of the Racing TV-sponsored bumper.

Travelling well throughout, the 4-9 favourite barely needed got out of second gear to defeat La Bateau by four and three-quarter lengths and complete an across-the-card treble for Nicky Henderson, who was also on the mark at Bangor.

The Seven Barrows handler said: "It is rather nice to know that brothers can try to emulate their brothers. Barry (Geraghty) said you won't ride an easy winner.

"We brought him out quite quickly after his first run at Newbury simply, because he has been crazy wild at home.

"He didn't have a too hard a race at Newbury and he didn't have to have one today. All in all it is a good start."

Assessing future plans, Henderson added: "I've not spoken to anybody yet, but I was thinking we might just leave him alone for a bit and maybe look at Aintree as he has bags of pace.

"I don't think he will go to Cheltenham, not in my book anyway as I'm not keen on the race (Champion Bumper)."

Joe Anderson celebrated his first winner under rules to get the ball rolling for Henderson when steering Homer (100-30) to glory by three-quarters of a length in the Join Racing TV Now Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.

Anderson said: "It's a buzz. It is great to ride it (first winner) for the boss. For Simon (Munir) and Isaac (Souede) it was very good of them to put me on him and have the faith to let me ride him.

"I started at Nicky's in June and it is going well and I'm enjoying it. I'm riding good horses every day and it really fills you with confidence and allows you to do these things."

A trip to Aintree could also be on the cards for Hoi Polloi (13-2) who left trainer Emma Lavelle with a huge smile on her face following his debut success in division one of the bumper.

Lavelle said: "He is a lovely horse and one that Barry (Fenton) has kept under his wing at home. He has got a great attitude, but he has taken to come to himself.

"If we go anywhere it would be Aintree, but it is all about next season with this horse."

Perfect Harmony (16-1) set up a potential return to Cheltenham after defeating stablemate On To Victory by three and a half lengths on his first start in 742 days in the novice hurdle.

Trainer Alan King said: "He ran well in the Champion Bumper and over hurdles, but he has been off for two years. I thought two-miles-five would be too sharp to be honest, but he won well.

"I would entertain the Albert Bartlett as Liz (Prowting, owner) would love to have a runner there and we have enough time."

Ben Pauling could tread a familiar path with Legal Eyes (12-1), who put in a near foot-perfect round of jumping from the front to claim the Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap Chase by 11 lengths.

He said: "It was great to watch and he jumped them ragged. He is an exceptional athlete and if he gets into a rhythm that is what he can do.

"There is a lovely race at Aintree which Kildisart won last year and that is where we will probably go."


At The Races

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