Sacre heads Super six

Sprinter Sacre steps out of novice company for the first time in the rescheduled Betfair Super Saturday Chase at Newbury tomorrow.

Better known as the Game Spirit Chase, the two-mile-one-furlong prize has attracted six runners, headed by this Nicky Henderson-trained superstar.

After turning in a superb round of jumping on his fencing debut at Doncaster, he pummelled Peddlers Cross at Kempton to leap to the head of the ante-post betting for the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham next month.

“He’s done what we’ve asked him and he was a very good novice hurdler, plus bumper horse plus everything,” said Henderson.

“One always rather hoped that when he got jumping fences you might see something a bit special and he has been so far.

“He just has such scope and he can do extraordinary things.”

Henderson has an interesting second string in French Opera, who won this race 12 months ago but has not been seen since winning last year’s Celebration Chase at Sandown.

Perhaps Sprinter Sacre’s biggest danger is Hold Fast, who earned this step up in class with a runaway victory in a Sandown handicap.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is keen to learn whether the eight-year-old is a serious contender for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

“He’s going the same route as Master Minded took in his first season – I’m not saying he’s Master Minded or anything like that but Friday will tell us whether we go for the Champion Chase or the Grand Annual,” said Nicholls.

“He’ll improve, but Ruby (Walsh) keeps saying he needs to go right-handed, but then he used to keep saying that about Master Minded as well.”

Zaynar comes back in distance having run well in an Ascot handicap last month, while I’m So Lucky looks up against it having run down the field in the Victor Chandler Chase on the same afternoon.

Rank outsider Kinkeel completes the field.