Melling Chase Result: Sacre Sprints to Aintree glory

A step up in distance made little distance to Sprinter Sacre as he turned in another breathtaking performance in the Melling Chase at Aintree...

Nicky Henderson's incredibly talented seven-year-old had stretched his unbeaten record over fences to eight with an imperious display in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but was stepping into the unknown on Merseyside.

Tackling two and a half miles for the first time over the larger obstacles, he was a 1-3 favourite to beat a top-class field including Ryanair Chase winner Cue Card, Irish raider Flemenstar and his own stable companion Finian's Rainbow, winner of this race and the Champion Chase last season.

With Cue Card and Flemenstar disputing the lead throughout, the pace gradually increased and all four of the main protagonists turned in some brilliant leaps heading down the back straight.

Sprinter Sacre was travelling with his usual extravagance in behind and once unleashed by Barry Geraghty, the writing was on the wall for his opponents.

Cue Card admirably stuck to his task, but Sprinter Sacre brushed him aside and safely negotiating the final fence to score by four and a half lengths without coming off the bridle.

Flemenstar was a long way back in third, with Finian's Rainbow, who was sent to the front by Tony McCoy leaving the back straight, fading into fourth.

Geraghty said: "He was brilliant. I suppose I could have done with going a little bit quicker.

"He travelled a bit too well and I had to take him back a few times to make use of his jumping. Because of the distance I didn't want to get to the front too soon.

"He was more relaxed than at Cheltenham, but we didn't go quick. He tanked a little. He was very manageable, he wasn't wanting to do anything silly like tear off with me. He was very co-operative and a real gentleman.

"When you let him loose like at the second-last he does it too easily.

"The two and a half miles didn't make any difference. He has plenty of pace and is very versatile."

Henderson said: "He's just a natural athlete. He's got a huge amount of ability and knows how to use it.

"I don't think anybody has taught him about jumping. It is sheer natural talent and it's good to watch when it's over.

"As Barry says that is probably as far as he wants to go. He gets two and a half but he doesn't need any more. It gives him options."

Henderson was not completely ruling out a quick return at Punchestown on April 23, adding: "I'm not ruling it in or out, I sort of think I'd like to show him to the people in Ireland one day.

"He's not had hard races has he. Let's see how he comes out of this."

Get open access to Timeform data for just £2.50 a day with Timeform Race Passes. It's like a Form Book, Black Book & Race Card all in one! Find Out More!

There are no comments on this article.

Product reviews and advice for best reference

Timeform Daily: Melling Chase, Friday, Aintree 15:05

Daily Tipping / Timeform / 07 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Master Minded and Somersby: Will the latter reverse Ascot form now he steps back up in trip?

"Master Minded boasts the best form but didn't convince at Cheltenham he was still at the top of his game, and this could be the day Somersby makes the breakthrough at the highest level now returned to a longer trip."

Timeform run the rule over the two-and-a-half-mile Melling Chase...

Albertas Run is prone to the odd bad run, but is one of the best chasers around on his day and is bidding to complete back-to-back Ryanair/Melling Chase doubles after beating Kalahari King at Cheltenham last month.

Chaninbar improved to win twice last spring, including the Red Rum Handicap at this meeting. He has largely been out of sorts this term, refusing to race at Cheltenham, and is out of his depth here.

French Opera registered his fifth win since reverting to chasing in the Game Spirit at Newbury in February. His latest run in the Champion Chase highlighted he's a little below the top level, however.

Kalahari King is a high-class chaser at 2m to 2½m. He returned to his best at the Cheltenham Festival, finishing a length behind Albertas Run in the Ryanair, and should go well again (won here as a novice).

Made In Taipan is a smart chaser but hasn't won since he was a novice in the 2008/9 season and he has just the one good run to his name this term in small field at Naas. He is not up to this level, anyway.

Mad Max is a huge gelding who beat Somersby in a Grade 2 novice at this meeting 12 months ago, but he has been plagued by breathing problems, and folded especially tamely in the Champion Chase on his first run since being tubed.

Master Minded has been the best 2m chaser of his generation, looking back to somewhere near his peak on his first three starts this season, but was already in trouble when blundering two out in the Champion Chase and stamina is not the only concern.

Somersby failed only by a whisker to peg back Master Minded at Ascot in January. He rallied after a mistake three out when fifth in the Champion Chase and the return to this trip is long overdue. He is a leading contender.

Tartak responded well to fitting of a tongue strap, winning twice at the turn of the year. His jumping has let him down in better company since, though, and he will do well to better his fourth place in this last year.

Tranquil Sea developed into a high-class chaser last season, and has been successful both starts this term, at Grade 1 level for the first time over fences at Fairyhouse in December. This will take even more winning.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Somersby
2. Albertas Run
3. Kalahari King

Timeform View: Master Minded boasts the best form but didn't convince at Cheltenham he was still at the top of his game, and this could be the day Somersby makes the breakthrough at the highest level now returned to a longer trip. The Ryanair 1-2, Albertas Run and Kalahari King, can't be left off the shortlist, either.

Get the Timeform Jury's selections for all Aintree races shown on the BBC this week with Timeform TV Focus. Click HERE to find out more about this successful tipping service.

Day one of the Aintree Festival sees top-class racing take centre stage. The horses may as well take their opportunity to strut their stuff, because I'll be off to Ladies Day tomorrow, and the action on the track can sometimes go unnoticed given the sights on offer off the track...

Rory Delargy joins Paul Jacobs for day one of Aintree's Grand National Meeting, and outlines his thoughts on today's card below....

David Stewart has scoured the stats to find some lively betting angles for Thursday at Aintree......

Betfair website

Timeform Daily: Melling Chase, Friday, Aintree 15:05

Daily Tipping / Timeform / 07 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Master Minded and Somersby: Will the latter reverse Ascot form now he steps back up in trip?

"Master Minded boasts the best form but didn't convince at Cheltenham he was still at the top of his game, and this could be the day Somersby makes the breakthrough at the highest level now returned to a longer trip."

Timeform run the rule over the two-and-a-half-mile Melling Chase...

Albertas Run is prone to the odd bad run, but is one of the best chasers around on his day and is bidding to complete back-to-back Ryanair/Melling Chase doubles after beating Kalahari King at Cheltenham last month.

Chaninbar improved to win twice last spring, including the Red Rum Handicap at this meeting. He has largely been out of sorts this term, refusing to race at Cheltenham, and is out of his depth here.

French Opera registered his fifth win since reverting to chasing in the Game Spirit at Newbury in February. His latest run in the Champion Chase highlighted he's a little below the top level, however.

Kalahari King is a high-class chaser at 2m to 2½m. He returned to his best at the Cheltenham Festival, finishing a length behind Albertas Run in the Ryanair, and should go well again (won here as a novice).

Made In Taipan is a smart chaser but hasn't won since he was a novice in the 2008/9 season and he has just the one good run to his name this term in small field at Naas. He is not up to this level, anyway.

Mad Max is a huge gelding who beat Somersby in a Grade 2 novice at this meeting 12 months ago, but he has been plagued by breathing problems, and folded especially tamely in the Champion Chase on his first run since being tubed.

Master Minded has been the best 2m chaser of his generation, looking back to somewhere near his peak on his first three starts this season, but was already in trouble when blundering two out in the Champion Chase and stamina is not the only concern.

Somersby failed only by a whisker to peg back Master Minded at Ascot in January. He rallied after a mistake three out when fifth in the Champion Chase and the return to this trip is long overdue. He is a leading contender.

Tartak responded well to fitting of a tongue strap, winning twice at the turn of the year. His jumping has let him down in better company since, though, and he will do well to better his fourth place in this last year.

Tranquil Sea developed into a high-class chaser last season, and has been successful both starts this term, at Grade 1 level for the first time over fences at Fairyhouse in December. This will take even more winning.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Somersby
2. Albertas Run
3. Kalahari King

Timeform View: Master Minded boasts the best form but didn't convince at Cheltenham he was still at the top of his game, and this could be the day Somersby makes the breakthrough at the highest level now returned to a longer trip. The Ryanair 1-2, Albertas Run and Kalahari King, can't be left off the shortlist, either.

Get the Timeform Jury's selections for all Aintree races shown on the BBC this week with Timeform TV Focus. Click HERE to find out more about this successful tipping service.

Day one of the Aintree Festival sees top-class racing take centre stage. The horses may as well take their opportunity to strut their stuff, because I'll be off to Ladies Day tomorrow, and the action on the track can sometimes go unnoticed given the sights on offer off the track...

Rory Delargy joins Paul Jacobs for day one of Aintree's Grand National Meeting, and outlines his thoughts on today's card below....

David Stewart has scoured the stats to find some lively betting angles for Thursday at Aintree......

Betfair website