Tingle Creek Preview. The Showdown. Sprinter Sacre vs Sanctuaire.

The Tingle Creek Chase 2012. Sandown Racecourse. The fastest 2 mile chasers going head to head around the sternest jumping test in the country. A natural stepping stone to Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. A superb roll of honour. It won't let us down.

Sizing Europe - was an awesome winner of the Tingle Creek  last year, but won't be present to defend his title

Sprinter Sacre has been dubbed many nicknames, an 'aeroplane' has been popular, but the most appropriate nickname, came to me in a blinding flash of inspiration whilst playing FIFA last night, put simply, Sprinter Sacre is the All Black, Jonah Lomu in equine form. In the words of youtube phenomenon Ksiolajidebt, a pure BEASSSSSSST.

Sprinter Sacre (Pictured Left) - Looks the real deal

Sanctuaire is a boeing 747, having left all passenger carrying aircraft in his wake, he now takes the step up to go head to head with a fighter jet, how will he fare?

The form at last years Arkle is working out unbelievably well. 2nd placed Cue Card ran riot in the Haldon Gold Cup, that 26 length victory has earned quotes of 13/2 for the King George later this month. 4th placed Al Ferof has subsequently won the Paddy Power Gold Cup and will oppose Cue Card in the Christmas spectacular at Kempton. Sprinter Sacre thumped these two at Cheltenham, his supremacy was almost embarrassing.

However, the Tingle Creek represents Sprinter Sacre's biggest test to date, Sanctuaire is the first horse that has the potential to really serve it up him. Going hard and fast from the front, asking the question on everyones lips, how good are ya pal? We saw on Sunday at Fairyhouse how good Ruby Walsh is at judging a race from the front, Arvika Ligeonniere decimated his rivals in the Drinmore Novice Chase, they couldn't get close to him. He performed similar master-strokes at Cheltenham 2 weeks ago when aboard Dodging Bullets and Far West. He is just the master and having him on board will assist Sanctuaire no end.


Nicky Henderson's superstar has done everything on his own terms so far in his career, he's just been far too classy for his rivals. Sanctuaire has the potential and the racing style to force Sprinter Sacre out of his comfort zone for the first time over fences, there's a possibility he could turn him over. Saying that, Sanctuaire could be the next horse in a long line that are made to look mere mortals, effortlessly swept past just after half way, his body language arrogantly illustrating his mindset : 'you're not good enough mate, thanks for trying'.

Sanctuaire - Judgement Day has arrived, can he be a Queen Mother candidate?

My prediction is he will be throwing his head around in 2nd place behind Ruby Walsh and Sanctuaire, I genuinely think he's bored, it all comes to easily to him, he just wants to go faster. If he's racing like this after half a mile, Sanctuiare is a sitting duck. However if that head is still, we've got a race on. It ultimately means Sanctuaire is a worthy opponent who has achieved what no other horse has achieved, he's got Sprinter Sacre to settle. Sanctuaire will say 'catch me if you can' and it will simply depend on whether Sprinter Sacre can. In my eyes, it's as simple as that.

I think Sprinter Sacre will have Sanctuaire's measure, why wouldn't you? On the basis of last year you can't argue he won't, he's not bombproof, but you've got to be a brave man to oppose him with any confidence.

It is fair to say that this looks to be a mouth watering clash between two heavyweights of the national hunt scene, the anticipation is at fever pitch, record this race, as it has the potential to be something you keep stored on your sky + for the considerable future.

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@JoshRWDown

Paul Nicholl's - Where His Chasers Will Be Heading

Paul Nicholls has recently outlined his plans for 'Team Ditcheat's' squad of chasers before the new year. The chasing unit has been the spearhead of the Nicholl's stable in previous campaigns, which has won 7 consecutive trainers championships. Although this years members probably don't have the strength in depth of previous years, there is still much to look forward to!


Silviniaco Conti:
Is pencilled in for the Charlie Hall at Wetherby later this month. He was a good winner at Aintree in the Spring and although Champion Court and Join Together wouldn't have been the best 3 mile novices around last year, he thumped them by 13 lengths. He appears to prefer a flat track and sharp 3 miles which he should get at Wetherby. He's a sound jumper so Wetherby's stiff fences shouldn't be a problem, I don't know what else is entered for the Charlie Hall but you would say this fella has a lot in his favour. From there, the King George may be his next target if all goes well.

Join Together:
A trip across the Irish Sea is on the cards for this horse. Down Royal is his destination, I assume for the JN Wine chase that Kauto Star made his own. If this horse had never run at a Cheltenham Festival I think he would be held in much higher regard. On his two visits to the meeting he has been pulled up, but his other runs in the season have been quite impressive, including wins at Cheltenham's November and December meetings last year. He could have a squeak in the race bearing in mind he tends to run his best races towards the beginning of the year, but he may be outclassed with horses such as Sizing Europe also being aimed at the race. He is another who may go to Kempton on Boxing Day looking further ahead.

Cristal Bonus:
He is also off to Down Royal. Think his target is the 2m 1/2 mile chase that Kauto Stone won last year. If you put a scratch through his run at the Festival, where he was a very poorly horse, he had a good season last year. Bought out of the Evan Williams yard this time last year, he had a very progressive season which culminated in a brave second to Menorah at Aintree. He had to lead which wasn't ideal, but to his credit he plugged on from the front to chase home the winner by 7 lengths. I think he may want 3 miles in time, (ran in Cleeve Hurde behind Grands Crus in 2011 while with Evan Williams) but for the time being this looks like a nice starting point. It wouldn't be a shock if he was in the shake up. Like the above, the King George could be on the agenda around Christmas time. 3 miles on a flat track should be right up his street.

Tidal Bay:
He will be hard to place this year after his easy win in what was the Whitbread at Sandown in May. He is another for the King George before the Grand National trials come along after Christmas.

Sanctuaire

Sanctuaire:
Sanctuaire is Sandown bound for a potentially mouth watering clash with 2011 Queen Mother winner Sizing Europe and 2013 ante-post favourite Sprinter Sacre. What makes it better is I will be there! (For those reading this who may be offended that me and dad haven't invited you, we will be in contact in due course, the idea only sprung up on Saturday night in a slightly alcohol influenced conversation). He was a very easy winner of the Celebration Chase at Sandown on the last day of the 2012 national hunt season and you would expect him to build on that win this season. He is a headstrong type, but it seems to be to his advantage as he attacks his fences and jumps them with real zest. Sandown's stiff jumping test will either be a happy hunting ground or a graveyard. If he has a clear round, he will go close. If he gets one wrong, that will be his race over. Whether he is on the same level as the other two I don't know. We will find out at Sandown won't we!

Al Ferof

Al Ferof:
He will be stepped up in trip this season, the plan is to reappear at Huntingdon for the Peterborough Chase before a crack at the King George. This year looks to be a fact finding mission for the grey. The main question that needs to be answered is: what is his optimum trip? Once the answer is found, he will be an easier horse to place and long-term targets can be drawn up. My opinion is we won't find out this year, but with another years maturity he will appreciate the extra stamina test 3 miles has to offer. He is still only 7 going on 8.

Pacha Du Polder - Thought to be an improver this season

Other Horses Include:
Impressive 2010 Aintree Festival winner Tataniano reappears at Chepstow in a fortnight to contest the race he won last year, whilst Harry The Viking is being aimed at Ascot's £100,000 Handicap Chase on the 3rd November. Edgardo Sol's plans are up in the air after the manner of his victory at Aintree last year has risen his handicap mark to 157. Pacha Du Polder is being considered for the Old Roan at Aintree later this month, Nicholls thinks he could be a massive impover this season!

Any questions or comments? Contact me through Twitter: @JoshRWDown