Sprinter Sacre makes it 10 in a row

DUBLIN (AFP) –

Sprinter Sacre, ridden by Barry Geraghty, clears the last fence on its way to winning the Melling Steeple Chase in Liverpool, northwest England, on April 5, 2013. Steeplechasing phenomenon Sprinter Sacre made it 10 wins in his last 10 starts over fences when he won the Grade One Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival on Tuesday.

Steeplechasing phenomenon Sprinter Sacre made it 10 wins in his last 10 starts over fences when he won the Grade One Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival on Tuesday.

The seven-year-old English superstar — known as the Frankel of the jumps scene — beat home Irish champion Sizing Europe by five lengths at the prohibitive odds of 1/9 on favourite.

Victory in what was his final appearance of the season completed a stunning hat-trick of wins at the major festivals in the past month, the two mile Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham followed by victory over the 2 1/2 miles at Aintree in the Melling Chase.

Sprinter Sacre, ridden as ever by Barry Geraghty, returned to a rapturous welcome from the packed stands at Punchestown and left trainer Nicky Henderson a delighted man especially as his stable star had prevailed in his least favourite heavy going.

“To do all three (Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown) is very, very hard and he’s had to work harder today than he has in the past,” said the 62-year-old recently-crowned champion trainer.

“He didn’t do anything wrong. He was clean and confident and fair play to Sizing Europe, who ran a hell of a race. I’d imagine he’ll do the same next season.”

“I hope everyone has enjoyed seeing him, that’s why we’re here. We love coming. Ireland is a nation of horse lovers and you feel you owe it to everybody to bring him here.

“There’s no point leaving him at home and the reception and appreciation he got was very, very special.”