Aintree date beckons as Sprinter Sacre prepares for step up in trip

Nicky Henderson is keen to run his stable star – an imperious winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival – over two-and-a-half miles so the horse has more options next season.

The John Smith’s Melling Chase, the Friday highlight of the Grand National meeting, would see Sprinter Sacre tested over an extended difference against Ireland’s highly-rated Flemenstar, who missed Cheltenham, and Colin Tizzard’s front-running Ryanair Chase hero Cue Card.

Henderson and stable jockey Barry Geragthy have always believed that Sprinter Sacre is a two-mile horse – while his breeders in France have indicated that he could excel over three miles.

The trainer does not want to neuter Sprinter Sacre’s athleticism at his fences, his greatest strength, but owner Caroline Mould admits it is a “huge possibility” that her horse will step up in trip.

The Boylesports.com Champion Chase at Punchestown over two miles on April 23 and the Celebration Chase at Sandown on April 27 remain the other options.

“If he did go to Aintree it’s a pretty flat course and would probably be the equivalent of his two miles at Cheltenham,” said Mould.

“I will be speaking to Nicky but we would all be tempted to see what happens if he ran over a bit further. Aintree? I’m up for it. Nothing’s set in stone, but it looks like the direction we are heading in.

“Obviously it is a joint decision. It’s Nicky, Barry (Geraghty) and David Minton (bloodstock agent) who are in the circle making the call. He’s public property suddenly and everyone has their penny’s worth and I’m open to suggestions. Aintree is a huge possibility.”

Peter Moody meanwhile has revealed there is a “concerted push” for Australian superstar Black Caviar to return to Royal Ascot this year and be covered by the incredible Frankel afterwards.

Black Caviar appeared almost certain to be retired after scraping home in a dramatic Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Ascot last June, but she has been nursed back to full fitness and has appeared better than ever since returning to the racecourse.

The seven-year-old made an impressive comeback in the Lightning at Flemington in mid-February and extended her unbeaten record to 24 in the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday.

While her trainer would be quite happy to see his pride and joy finish off her career on home soil, he admits the owners are keen on a return to the Royal meeting.

“On the Sunday post-Ascot last year, I was resigned to the fact she’d run her last race, but it’s amazing how she’s returned,” he said.

“She probably hasn’t been this sound for three seasons or so.

“My mindset is that there’s definitely some unfinished business, as there is no doubt you didn’t get to see the best of her.”

Decision time for those running in the Lincoln

TOP trainers have to indicate today whether they will re-enter their horses in the William Hill Lincoln.

The mile-long heritage handicap will now take place on Saturday – weather permitting – after Doncaster fell victim to the snow.

Several inches of overnight snow meant Town Moor was unraceable on Saturday, prompting the track to come up with a contingency plan with its race sponsor and the British Horseracing Authority.

New entries can be made today for each of the supporting races, with final declarations due on Thursday.

“The Lincoln reverts to the entries at the time the weights were announced,” said Doncaster managing director Mark Spincer, who has been widely praised by the racing industry for his foresight in putting the contingency plan together to save one of the sport’s prestigious handicaps.

All pre-booked tickets, he said, will transfer to next Saturday’s fixture, though customers unable to attend can arrange a refund by telephoning 01302 511912.

Spincer hopes Doncaster will start to thaw from the middle of the week onwards, though many riding plans for the Lincoln may change because of the rearranged fixture clashing with the Dubai World Cup.

Only Lingfield’s all-weather card survives today after the weekend abandonments of scheduled jump meetings at Taunton and Towcester.

Prospects for turf action later in the week are not encouraging; Wetherby is still covered in snow ahead of Wednesday’s meeting.

As for the action that did take place at the weekend, Dubai Hills secured his sixth win from seven visits to Southwell, coming wide under Tom Eaves and keeping on strongly to beat Docofthebay by three-quarters of a length.

Winning trainer Bryan Smart, from North Yorkshire, said: “That was a performance and a half. He’s gone round the world to avoid the kickback. He just loves it round here. When they said they were putting this race on it was a no-brainer.”