Sprinter Sacre a class apart

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.

While Nicky Henderson’s exceptional gelding finished 2lb shy of the now-retired Kauto Star’s 190 in the 2009-10 season, the record in the 14 years of the rankings, he is 8lb clear of his stablemate and Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth.

British Horseracing Authority handicapper BHA handicapper John de Moraville gave Sprinter Sacre (pictured) 188 for his performances in both the Queen Mother Champion Chase and on his first attempt at two and a half miles in the Melling Chase at Aintree.