SPRINTER SACRE saw his name added to an elite list of true greats after producing a victory that will be hailed as one of the most miraculous comebacks ever witnessed in the history of racing with an emotionally-charged success in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Having raised the roof with victory at Cheltenham in the Shloer Chase in November, the ten-year-old ensured there was not a dry eye left in the house at Prestbury Park when motoring to victory in the Grade One contest he majestically won back in 2013.

After two years in the wilderness all the signs in the lead-up to the two-mile showpiece had suggested the horse affectionately known as the ‘black aeroplane’, was, although not back to his imperious best, somewhere close to it.

The Northern Echo:
Nico de Boinville celebrates after winning the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase with Sprinter Sacre. Picture: Mike Egerton / PA Wire

A race that was billed as the clash of the entire meeting lived up to those high expectations when producing one of those ‘I-was-there’ moments the thousands watching on will remember for the rest of their lives.

Tucked in behind the early pace set by Special Tiara, with odds-on favourite Un De Sceaux in pursuit, the Nicky Henderson-trained 5-1 shot was settled into a nice rhythm by his new partner for this campaign, Nico de Boinville.

As Un De Sceaux, under Ruby Walsh, cruised into the lead at the third-last, it looked as though a new king was going to be crowned.

But that picture proved false and it quickly became apparent the Willie Mullins-trained 4-6 favourite was running on vapours, despite the body language from Walsh suggesting otherwise.

With a shake of the reins De Boinville forged his mount on in between Un de Sceaux and Special Tiara over two out, much to the adulation of a crowd in awe of what they were witnessing.

Although failing to take the final fence cleanly it was not to be costly, with the Caroline Mould-owned gelding responding to every call asked of him, and although tiring close to the line he was not to be denied, posting a three-and-a-half-length triumph from Un De Sceaux.

Henderson said: “It’s been a long, long journey – those were two very grim years.

“That was unbelievable. That was about dreams, wasn’t it? Dreams do actually happen and come alive.

“It’s nice to have everybody on your side. I knew we had some supporters and it’s fantastic.

“He has been a spectacular horse, but to come back and do that after all that time –everyone has done a fantastic job.

“There were some hard days, but it was certainly worth the effort. I still never forgive myself for running him at Aintree after winning here (in 2013) as I promised and wanted to go to Ireland. We slotted Aintree in the middle and I thought that was a mistake.

“You think they are having easy races but mentally it is a huge effort, even if they are winning on the bridle.”

“I said if he and Tent (My Tent Or Yours, second in Champion Hurdle) both won I’d retire, luckily Tent got beaten!

“He (Sprinter Sacre) has been a very special horse. For those two golden years he was unbeatable.

“I said he couldn’t come back to his best, but maybe he has.

“He had to be as good as he ever was to do that. It was great in November but today was even more special.

“This horse knows that he is good and what life is like at the top.

“He has built his own atmosphere here today. It was Sprinter’s way of saying thank you.

“The See You Then days (three-time Champion Hurdle winner) were very special as he was the horse that got us on the map in the first place. He was very special, but Sprinter is something that little bit extra.”

De Boinville said: “I’m speechless about that, it means so much to us.

“For him to come back like that – all credit to the guv’nor, we had a couple of desperate years with him and nearly retried him.

“I knew I had to get upsides Un De Sceaux and see what he was made of. He has got so many gears that when I got upside him I took him out in a couple of strides.

“When you win these big races you have to enjoy them and that has definitely been Sprinter’s greatest achievement.”