• Horse Racing

Sprinter Sacre a doubt for Tingle Creek Chase

ESPN staff
December 3, 2013
A decision on Sprinter Sacre is expected to be made on Thursday © PA Photos
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Trainer Nicky Henderson has revealed star horse Sprinter Sacre is a doubt for the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

Sprinter Sacre is unbeaten over fences, but Henderson revealed he was unsatisfied with the results of a routine tracheal wash.

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The news prompted all firms to suspend betting on the markets on Monday, as Sprinter Sacre was previously held as heavy 1/6 favourite - Sire De Grugy was closest challenger at 11/2 to claim victory in the Group One race.

"We routinely give the horses a tracheal wash every Monday morning and though Sprinter Sacre's looked normal the figures from the laboratory told us otherwise," Henderson told the Racing Post. "If the figures are the same when we test him again on Thursday then he won't run.

"At this stage I'm certainly not ruling him out, I'm just issuing a warning. I have known horses that appear wrong on Monday and be perfectly alright on Thursday. A fortnight ago My Tent Or Yours wasn't too clever.

"Unfortunately it's something you can't treat - it's an absolute nightmare and I wanted to let everyone know as soon as possible. We only got the test results back at four o'clock this afternoon. It's very disappointing but you cannot take chances especially with a horse like him, but don't rule him out yet."

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