Sprinter Sacre suffers Ascot defeat to Dodging Bullets

Star steeplechaser Sprinter Sacre was beaten by Dodging Bullets on his comeback race at Ascot, but still emerged from the race with credit.

Sent off the 4/6 favourite for Sodexo Clarence House Chase after persistent market support in the final minutes before the race, the brilliant nine-year-old jumped and travelled well, ridden patiently by Barry Geraghty.

However, although he comfortably mastered the frontrunning Somersby coming off the home turn, Dodging Bullets was all the while preparing to pounce.

The pair were upsides over the final fence, but it was Dodging Bullets, a 7/2 chance, who found most on the run-in to score by three lengths.

Both winner and runner-up were cheered back to the unsaddling area.

Trainer Nicky Henderson said of the runner-up: "He just got a little bit tired.

“They went a really good gallop. It found him out at the end, but I’m really pleased the way he travelled through the race.”

“Barry just said ‘Great’. He showed the old Sprinter was still there and turning into the straight you were happy.

“He (Geraghty) said he took off with him four out and got him racing. It was great to see he was full of his enthusiasm, he travelled into the straight like himself and just got tired.

“There was no messing about. They went a good gallop and it just found him out in the end. I loved the way he travelled and I’m pleased we decided to run. Only one day matters and he’ll come on plenty for it.”

Geraghty himself added: “He felt brilliant, he jumped brilliantly and travelled away and he’ll come on plenty for it. Short of wining the race, I couldn’t be any happier.”

Successful trainer Paul Nicholls is holidaying in the Caribbean, but Fehily said: "It's another great training performance.

"They went hard from flag-fall. He stays well, and the Cheltenham hill wouldn't be any problems for him. He's a great horse.

“On today’s performance I’d have thought Cheltenham would really suit him. We’ll see in March!

“I think Dodging Bullets is a very good horse now and I spoke briefly to Barry after the race and I know he was pleased with that run, but whether he is quite the Sprinter Sacre of old remains to be seen.”