Sprinter Sacre Returns
So what are we expecting tomorrow? Are we expecting the Spinter Sacre of old?. The Spinter Sacre who flew over his fences, as if he was putting no effort at all into his races; he didn't need to, he was after all so much more superior than his rivals.
The fact is, we just do not know what we are going to see. Barry Geraghty has given off very good vibes. And there is no denying that, we would all love to see Sprinter Sacre back to his best.
The thing which worries me, is his story echo's that of another great horse, who was known affectionately as 'The Tank'. I am of course talking about Denman.
Denman was unbeaten 9 times over fences at the time, his last race being the Cheltenham Gold Cup, where he beat Kauto Star by 7 lengths. An 8 years old and in his prime. However after the Gold Cup he developed a problem with his heartbeat, the same issue that since has effected Sprinter Sacre known as Atrial Fibrillation. Atrial Fibrillation is common, and as long as caught early and treated properly, a horse 'should' fully recover.
Sprinter Sacre was unbeaten in 10 races and approaching his 8th birthday, another horse in his prime. But at Kempton Park on the 27th of December 2013, it all went awry for Sprinter Sacre. He was pulled up quickly and a irregular heartbeat was detected by the on course vet.
Both horses were given plenty of time to recover from their problems. Denman was back on the track 11 months later. Sprinter Sacre will make his reappearance 13 months on. Denman was 9 years old when he reappeared, the same as Sprinter Sacre is now.
Remembering that these horses where at the top of their game before their problems. Denman came back and was soundly beaten into 2nd, and although he ran some great races in defeat, that's what they were, he kept getting beaten. Out of 10 races he only won once more. Yes the win can in the Hennessy Gold Cup, a Grade 3 race. However he was rated 12lb superior to his next rival. So a good run should of been expected. Those figures also included a very uncharacteristic fall. Denman's crown had well and truly slipped.
The argument could of been that he was now 9 years old, and age might of been a factor. But the fact is, he was never the same horse again. Although health wise he was in great condition, and he was doing well on the gallops, and there was no sign of the irregular heartbeat anymore, something just wasn't quite right, when he placed a hoof on the track.
We can speculate all we like about Denman, and why he wasn't the same horse; we will never know. Tomorrow Sprinter Sacre steps out on the track. There is also no sign of an irregular heartbeat, and on his racecourse gallop, he looked to be in amazing condition and health. We will still all hold our breath's and hope that the old Sprinter Sacre is back. And here to stay.
Denmans race results over fences
Before: 11111/1111
After: 22F/1U24/325/
Sprinter Sacre race results over fences (updated 24/4/15)
Before: 11111/11111/P-
After: 2P2
Denman retired from racing, and is enjoying his retirement as a hunter, still in great health and looking well.
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