Sprinter Sacre plans a factor in Europe’s Punchestown target
The 11-year-old was no match for Nicky Henderson’s incredible stable star in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham last month, finishing a well-beaten second.
Sprinter Sacre has since bolted up at Aintree and Henderson has suggested his charge could finish off his spectacular season in Punchestown’s Champion Chase on April 23.
Sizing Europe could avoid a rematch by stepping up in distance for the Punchestown Gold Cup a day later, although conditions would have to be right.
Asked whether Sprinter Sacre’s participation would have an impact on Sizing Europe’s plans, De Bromhead said: “I’m sure it will, but the ground will be a big factor as well. If the ground comes up heavy, we’ll probably be forced to run in the two-mile race.
“He’s in great form and we’re hoping to run him in Punchestown, but I don’t know which race we’ll go for yet.
“I need to speak with Alan and Ann (Potts, owners) and see what the weather does.”
Meanwhile, Tony Martin has given Benefficient the option of running in the Arcadia Consulting William Dickie & Mary Robertson Future Champion Novices’ Chase at Ayr on Saturday.
A game winner of the Jewson Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month, the form of that victory has been franked in no uncertain terms by successes at Aintree for second home Dynaste and the fifth-placed Captain Conan.
Martin’s charge is unlikely to have everything his own way if making the journey to Scotland, however, with Tap Night and Realt Mor among his possible opponents.
