Fingers crossed he arrives in one piece for the 2014 Queen Mother - Big Bucks didn't line up for the 2013 World Hurdle... I remember Master Minded winning the 2008 Queen Mother in a canter before finishing second to Voy Per Ustedes in the 2008 Melling Chase. But I can't see Sprinter Sacre being beaten on Saturday and being yet another Festival winner who hasn't followed up at Aintree. 2m4f shouldn't be a problem for Sprinter Sacre round Aintree. It's a toss up between Cue Card and Flemenstar to finish second.
really looking forward to this if they all turn up on Friday (and it is looking like that at this stage) I would be very surprised to see Sprinter Sacre come off the bridle and I still think he will win by 10lengths
Final declarations should be in today (Aintree Hurdle and Bowl were at final decs yesterday) and, assuming they all turn up, it will hopefully allow us to see the next level of Sprinter Sacre's talent. The Champion Chase was his biggest test to date and he gave his best performance to date. This is a tougher test in terms of facing young, championship class horses over a longer trip. Should be a fantastic spectacle.
Final decs in and 6 go to post - Sprinter Sacre, Flemenstar, Cue Card, Finian's Rainbow, For Non Stop and the rag Mad Moose. Four horses rated 170 or above, when was the last time we saw that in a 2m4f chase?
You do talk some ****e, honestly! Sprinter Sacre arguably the best of all time? You seriously think that on what he has done so far, that this is merited? **** me I've read some rubbish from you, but that is the best! Again I'd like to reiterate that I genuinely love the Black Aeroplane, and when I'm at Aintree on Friday the sight of him in the parade ring and hopefully going on to win the Melling Chase will be the highlight of my day. However, I know all too well that sport, and in particular horse racing is a tough old game, and there is no guarantee that Sprinter will fulfil the vast amount of potential he has shown so far. I seriously hope he does, and if that proves to be the case, then yes he could well be the best of all time bar none. But to suggest he is the best of all time based on what he has done so far is frankly very short sighted and ridiculous. Trust me, I'm not a pessimist, but I've seen too many careers of horses that didn't fulfil their full potential be cut short to be proclaiming SS as the reincarnation of Pegasus at the moment.
You could be right - The New One? He's the only novice in the field. These are prices with William Hill: 11/4 The New One, 7/2 Countrywide Flame, 7/2 Zarkandar, 4/1 Grandouet, 11/2 Oscar Whisky, 10/1 Thousand Stars, 16/1 Prospect Wells, 25/1 Raya Star, 100/1 Saphir River As for the Melling Chase: 4/11 Sprinter Sacre, 9/2 Flemenstar, 6/1 Cue Card, 12/1 Finian's Rainbow, 25/1 For Non Stop, 100/1 Mad Moose I'm looking forward more to the Aintree Hurdle than Melling Chase! The New One and Grandouet should fight out the finish IMO, can see The New One winning but what a mouthwatering contest it will be. Countrywide Flame will relish the step up in trip.
I do not judge horses on longevity, I judge horses on performance, and Sprinter Sacre has been running to a level this season that I've never seen in my lifetime. He is at the very least the most talented chaser since Arkle, on what he has shown so far, and if he can remain unbeaten, which looks inevitable, then he could well be rated above him. I see the bookies are daft enough to be laying 4/11 at the moment, they have clearly lost there minds. I have just this second had my largest bet for a very long time on him, and I urge everyone else to do the same! How on earth can he be a bigger price than he was at the festival, he made a former champion, and grade 1 winner this season in Sizing Europe look like a cart horse
I'm going tomorrow and cannot wait for the Aintree Hurdle. Hopefully the price on THE NEW ONE won't disappear on the day. It has some serious gears, and NTD must be very confident to put him in this race considering there are easier NOVICE options around. A massive signal of intent from NTD and THE NEW ONE will relish the trip and the better ground.
I have come to the conclusion that the Aintree hurdle is between Thousandstars and Oscar Whisky. If the real OW shows up, then he will win it for the 3rd time, if he doesn't then Thousandstars will win it. At this stage I'm considering backing both horses, as they are both decent prices
Don't forget little Countrywide Flame. Tomorrows test will be right up his street, and he's a tough little bastard as well
So you'd have a horse that's only won a handful of championship races at the moment rated above horses that have been there and done it throughout their whole careers and won 10 or more? Fair enough, but I think you've got it very wrong I'm afraid, beating the likes of Sanctuaire, Mad Moose, and His Excellency on a consistent basis aren't the sort of performances I would be looking at in the best of all time. Yes he beat Sizing Europe, a 12 year old, how much of his true ability was reflected in the QMCC? Only when he has hopefully had a very long and distinguished career will I be assessing where he ranks in the list of great horses we've seen, for now, I'm just going to enjoy watching his spectacular performances.
Great boost for Cue Card today with First Lieutenant winning. I had thought Flemenstar would fill second but it will be a good horse that beats Cue Card tomorrow, obviously Sprinter is awesome so he should win but I think Cue Card can take 2nd now. Can't wait to watch it unfold.
Twenty one hours to go and im already bricking it big time.Anything less than a rout on the bridle and i will be bitterly disappointed.
I really think Sprinter Sacre might just have something to think about tomorrow. Maybe just for a stride or two. I hope Cue Card will run him to 6L or less.
Am definitely coming round to that way of thinking George, hope I see a Sprinter Sacre win tomorrow, but I've made a habit recently of deserting horses I've backed all season only to see them win, Cue Card was one such example at Cheltenham, and Zark was another today! Hope you have success in the w/o SS market if thats the bet you go with. I hope CC does himself justice tomorrow and runs with credit, but in my heart of hearts I'd love SS to be the next superstar, and even though he'll need to put in some performance tomorrow, I think he will and win after a little bit of a battle, which is exactly what I want to see.
