RACING: Magnificent seven from Henderson's Sacre

SPRINTER Sacre showed once again why he is dubbed the 'Frankel of the jumps' as he completed a magnificent seven over fences with a majestic display in the Victor Chandler Chase at Cheltenham.

Not for the first time, Nicky Henderson's superstar was electric at his fences, taking it up on the run to the sixth-last, after Mad Moose had opened a sizeable early advantage on the field.

Barry Geraghty quickened matters noticeably going to three out and while Sanctuaire had crept into it from the rear, his threat was only a fleeting one as Sprinter Sacre sauntered over the last two fences.

The gallant Mad Moose rallied as Sanctuaire began to toil, and got up past Somersby to take second, some 14 lengths adrift of the 1-5 favourite.

Henderson admitted: "I'm glad it's over. I had reservations about running, but we had to run. Barry was worried about the ground, I was worried he was a bit fresh.

"He can handle any ground, I think, and that's what a good horse should be able to do.

"Barry's confidence in him is unbelievable. He knows you can jump anything with him.

"He's such a gorgeous horse to look at, you would think he would be something special. He knows he is special and I suppose we are all starting to believe he might be."

Sprinter Sacre is now expected to head straight for the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March, for which he is 1-3 favourite with Ladbrokes.

Henderson said: "It is a shame to be going to Cheltenham as his third run of the season, but that's the sort of season it's been."