Geraghty believes Sacre can scale the heights over fences

BARRY Geraghty has reiterated his belief Kempton winner Sprinter Sacre is one of the best two-mile chasers he has ever ridden.

Nicky Henderson’s five-year-old achieved a high level of form over hurdles last season, but looks set to scale even greater heights over larger obstacles judged on his two starts this season.

Following a flawless introduction at Doncaster, Sprinter Sacre put last season’s Champion Hurdle runner-up Peddlers Cross in his place with a brilliant display in Tuesday’s Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase.

Geraghty has been associated with plenty of high-class chasers down the years, including dual Champion Chase winner Moscow Flyer and most recently Big Zeb.

“He is without doubt up there with the best two-mile chasers that I’ve ever ridden – and I’ve been very fortunate to have ridden at least one of the true greats in Moscow Flyer,” the jockey said in his At The Races blog.

“To put him in context, he’s the best two-mile novice that I’ve been on since Moscow Flyer. He won even better than I thought he would although I always thought that he would beat Peddlers Cross but it’s quite likely that horse didn’t run to his best after the early mistake and the track probably didn’t play to his strengths.

“It certainly suited my lad who has lots of class and stays the trip well but Cheltenham definitely wouldn’t be a bother to him – he’s not a horse that needs a flat track. Quite simply, he’s got a tick in every box.

“Although he was in front most of the way it wouldn’t have mattered if I’d sat on Peddlers Cross’s tail because he’s very amenable and you can put him where you like.

“It wasn’t like Finian’s Rainbow last year when he would just go and that was it, never any chance of dropping him in.

“For me, Sprinter Sacre is one of the most important horses around for the future.”