Sprinter Sacre might have been below-par the last time he was seen in action at Punchestown but he was still able to finish by far and away the top chaser of the Anglo-Irish Jump Classifications, published yesterday.

Sprinter Sacre offered the conclusive proof for his promotion to racing’s new superstar in the Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

Sprinter Sacre is officially the best novice chaser of this millennium, following a “bizarre” and “extraordinary” year in his two-mile division.

HURRICANE FLY has officially been recognised as the best 2m hurdler since Istabraq with a rating just 3lb short of that given to the three-times Champion Hurdle winner at his peak.

SMURFIT Kappa Champion Hurdle winner Brave Inca was named Horse of the Year at a glittering ceremony for the first Anglo-Irish Jump Racing Awards.