tracked leaders in close 3rd, lost touch with leaders 4 out, kept on one paced in 3rd straight
always in rear, lost touch with leaders in last from halfway, no impression from 4 out
tracked leaders in 4th, off pace from halfway, no impression in moderate 4th from 4 out
attempted to make all, ridden from 3 out, soon strongly pressed, headed 2 out, kept on same last from last
tracked leader in close 2nd, travelling well in 2nd 3 out, improved to lead 2 out, pushed along to shake off challenger before last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
Most observers have attempted to find a flaw in the armoury of SPRINTER SACRE but to no avail and he just keeps on demolishing the opposition. It's rare for a horse to win at the three main jumping Festivals but Nicky Henderson's brilliant chaser should have no problems retaining his unbeaten record over fences on his tenth start. He sauntered home from the former Champion Sizing Europe in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham before stepping up in trip at Aintree for another very impressive victory. Sizing Europe is probably still the second best two-miler around and should prove that here as Foildubh and Days Hotel, 1-2 in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse three weeks ago, don't look up to his class. Noble Prince, the 2011 Jewson winner, hasn't won since the October of that year and it will be a major shock if he can get involved.
Days Hotel (IRE) 5-6fav (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, led briefly 8th, led from 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed from next, headed before last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Foildubh (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1).
Foildubh (IRE) 7-4 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd entering straight, pushed along to lead before last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) beating Days Hotel (11-10) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Noble Prince (GER) 6-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, 3rd from before halfway, ridden entering straight and no impression on first 2 when not fluent last, dropped to 4th run-in, 4th of 6, 20l behind Dressedtothenines (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G2 (1).
Sizing Europe (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Tracked leader from 3rd, led 9th, headed 3 out, outpaced in clear 2nd when stumbled before next, soon ridden, no chance with impressive winner between last 2, 2nd of 7, 19l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Sprinter Sacre (FR) 1-3fav (11-10) Tracked leaders on outside, poised to challenge 3 out, led on bit between last 2, clear last, very easily, won at Aintree 2m 4f chs G1 (1) gd beating Cue Card (11-10) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
