NICKY HENDERSON probably didn't have a great night's sleep last night, nothing to do with the rain and wind that has been battering the Country this week, more to do with the return of a superstar, Sprinter Sacre.

With have been spoilt in recent years, Kauto Star and Denman, plus the small matter of Frankel on the flat and this nine-year-old was being talked about in the same terms, winning ten of his 11 starts, including an unforgettable triumph in the 2013 Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

But just when Sprinter Sacre was beginning to appear unbeatable, he was pulled in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton in December 2013, when he was found to be suffering with a heart problem.

It has been a long road back for the brilliant chaser, but after numerous tests and a pleasing recent schooling session at Newbury, the stage is set for his comeback.

Henderson has taken his time, and said yesterday: "He had that gallop at Newbury a couple of weeks ago, that went well and last week was good.

"We'd like to get this out of the way, really. We can only do what we've got to do and try and plot it correctly.

"Newbury was our first step to get him on a racecourse and get him enjoying himself and not put him under the stress of a race.

"He is the sort of horse that gets you a bit jumpy, but I'd rather have the problem than not have the problem."

Regular jockey Barry Geraghty will be on board, a man for the big occasion, and he will also be looking forward to getting the star back on track, saying: "We'll let Sprinter do the talking with his performance but he wouldn't be going for this race if the signs weren't right.

"The ground looks like being no worse than soft, which should be fine, and although he's never run over fences at Ascot, that shouldn't be any concern - he's won a bumper and hurdle there.

"As for his fitness on the ground, well, he's been on the go for most of the time since his problem and, while I'm certain the race will sharpen him up, I'm sure he's in a position to do himself justice.

"I couldn't fault him when he schooled and then worked at Newbury recently when it seemed like the Sprinter Sacre of old was back with us.

"I'm extremely hopeful that will be the case at Ascot and he can retake his place at steeplechasing's top table."

I'd imagine Sprinter Sacre will be odds on, just like The New One, who will face six rivals in the StanJames.com Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock today - if the meeting survives an early inspection.

The New One is the main British challenger for the Champion Hurdle itself in March, a race he was very unlucky in last year, and today's contest should be a straightforward task on route to the Festival once again.

Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, his son Sam misses some good rides at Ascot to retain the partnership, and he said yesterday afternoon: "We're very happy with the condition he's in. He schooled nicely on Monday and he seems in good order. He's a very short price so hopefully he'll go very well.

"We're not too worried about the ground. We've targeted this and hopefully it's the last step on the way to Cheltenham.

"It would be lovely if he could win, not have too hard a race and then get him nice and fresh for Cheltenham.

"It's almost nice looking at the Champion Hurdle and going in as the underdog. It will be Faugheen's toughest test, and probably ours, and if we get beaten I'll be the first one to shake their hands.

"It's why you get into the game, to ride horses like him."

It's fair to say that today's feature races aren't the best betting opportunities but that can't be said about the Peter March Chase at Haydock were I hope Samstown can bounce back after a poor run last time out.

He was found to be off-colour after disappointing at Cheltenham last month but trainer Alistair Whillans reports the eight-year-old back in good health.

"He wasn't right that day at Cheltenham. When he got back he wasn't 100 per cent so he had an easy couple of weeks," said the Borders handler.

"He's fine again now but the one thing is the ground, I guess it will be pretty desperate. We're the last one in the handicap proper and I hope he can run a nice race."