french rivals in showdown at sandown
But the latest renewal of the Grade One event promises to be yet another chapter in the battle between title rivals Henderson and Paul Nicholls, who sends Sanctuaire into play.
The equine rivals were born in France six years ago, just three weeks apart, and are unbeaten in the eight races over fences in which they have run to date.
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Hide AdFive of those belong to Sprinter Sacre who won his chase debut at Doncaster last December before landing the Arkle Trophy and a Grade One contest at Aintree. He’s been likened to “an aeroplane” by big race jockey Barry Geraghty.
“The soft ground will not be ideal but there are only three targets for him this season – the Tingle Creek, the Victor Chandler and the Queen Mother – so we have to take our chances,” said Henderson, whose exciting novice Captain Conan will line up in the Henry VIII Chase.