Nicky Henderson says Sprinter Sacre on comeback trail

Nicky Henderson can see no reason why Sprinter Sacre should not improve on his comeback effort in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot.

Once regarded as unbeatable, the nine-year-old was having just his second start since the Punchestown Festival of 2013 when second to Dodging Bullets at the Berkshire track.

He was pulled up with what transpired to be a heart problem at Kempton in December 2013 and it has taken all of Henderson’s skills and patience to get him back on course.

“You saw what he did at Ascot. He’s only got to come along from there, then we will be happy,” said Henderson.

“He’s run a very good race. He is in great form. He’s had a week off, not a week off as such, but he didn’t do very much, he’s just been doing good and healthy exercise and we will start back with him now.”

Huge buzz

Meanwhile,

JCB Triumph Hurdle

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Peace And Co

remains firmly on course for the festival after delighting Henderson in winning at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Bought from France after winning his sole start, he created a huge buzz when a very easy winner of the Summit Juvenile Hurdle at Doncaster, making all the running.

Upped in class at the weekend, he was dropped in by Barry Geraghty but showed a smart turn of foot to beat a solid yardstick in Karezak and is now a short price to remain unbeaten at the Festival in March.

“We were pleased with him. It was a very messy race and we were having to do some experimenting in that he’d only had two races, one in France, one in Doncaster,” said Henderson. “He was quite keen at Doncaster, he just tanked through the race so we wanted to drop him in at Cheltenham and it was the worst race in the world. They went no pace.

“What I did like is that he had to fight to get on that inside rail. I’m delighted with him.”