Rolling back the years.
At 5/1, there were not many people giving Sprinter Sacre, ridden by Nico de Boinville, a chance in Wednesday’s Champion Chase.
Un De Sceaux was odds-on to deliver Ruby Walsh his 50th festival win but few accounted for the never-say-day personality of ‘The Big Black Aeroplane.’
A heart problem two years ago led many to believe that glorious days like today were past the 10-year-old.
But then this happened.
SPRINTER SACRE strides to victory in the Champion Chase! Fantastic comeback from the gelding. #CheltenhamFestival https://t.co/zw8h6Vy6OB
— Channel 4 Racing (@Channel4Racing) March 16, 2016
“Dreams do come true,” trainer Nicky Henderson said of the success. “He has been a spectacular horse but to come back and do that, after all this time…. Everyone has worked so hard. He has been a very special horse, he had those two golden years when he was unbeatable but he had to be as good as that today.”
And the momentous occasion was reflected in the many, many congratulations.
https://twitter.com/shanedarby9/status/710127406883934208
https://twitter.com/jotrenner/status/710127284246716416
Oh my god Sprinter Sacre you are a hero, am in tears of joy to see him come up the hill again something very special. Heart of a lion😊❤
— Ellie ThorntonReeves (@Elaynareeves) March 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/themelc1978/status/710128726143586304
I tell you this is unbeliveable as @nickluck said, it has got me emotional Sprinter Sacre is the champion chaser again, pleasure to watch
— knicksfan89 (@knicksfan89) March 16, 2016
Just one of the greatest training performances ever. Sprinter Sacre. #CheltenhamFestival #sprintersacre @sevenbarrows
— John (@old_man_milford) March 16, 2016
Hands the best thing I've ever seen on course. Sprinter Sacre you are the greatest
— Joel (@JoelBayliss) March 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/jesspuffer/status/710128963050405888
Best racing moment in my lifetime of watching horse racing! Amazing Sprinter Sacre!
— Lewis Thompson (@LewisThompson7) March 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/flashfoster27/status/710127985874112512
https://twitter.com/Sirbobbyliveson/status/710127690263764992
Unbelievable – what a story! Sprinter Sacre wins the Champion Chase. Not a dry eye in the house! #sprintersacre
— Neil Randon (@NRandonFactor) March 16, 2016
Brilliant to see Sprinter Sacre back to his brilliant best after health problems! What a machine!
— Chris Kerr (@Kerrso86) March 16, 2016
Be the best result of the week that Sprinter Sacre, got to be the best training performance ever by Nicky Henderson to get him back!!
— Jay Dutton (@JayLfc94) March 16, 2016
