Sanctuaire produces another storming leap on his way to glory at Sandown
PICTURE: Martin Lynch (racingpost.com/photos)Sanctuaire dominatesin Celebration Chase win
Report: Sandown, Saturday
bet365.com Celebration Chase (Grade 2) 2m, 5yo+
SANCTUAIRE made it three wins from three starts over fences by destroying his rivals at Sandown on Saturday.
Trained by Paul Nicholls, Sanctuaire had dominated in two little races since switched to fences and being allowed to use his natural exuberance to lead the field. He was sent straight to the front by Daryl Jacob and a massive leap at the second fencewas the first of many tremendous jumps by the winner.
Quickly Sanctuaire was well clear of his opponents, jumping accurately and slickly in the red silks of Jared Sullivan.
Down the far side of the track Sanctuaire was the best part of a fence in front of backmarker Cornas and a good 20 lengths clear of the chasing pack, who appeared unconcerned by his lead. But they should have been.
Daryl Jacob: front-running ride
PICTURE: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)After sailing over the Railway Fences and rounding the turn for home, Jacob peeked behind him and saw Wishfull Thinking, Somersby and Dan Breen - his three closest pursuers - struggling to catch him on the soft Sandown surface.
So it was left to Sanctuaire to ping the final two fences and saunter to a 17-length victory at 9-2 with Somersby grabbing second from Dan Breen.
Jacob said: "He gave me a great ride, but full credit to Ruby [Walsh] and Paul who told me what to do.
"He settled nicely enough and even when he took a little bit of a grip it was nothing stupid. I always felt there was plenty under me. I was just trying to keep the bit high up in his mouth and keep him going forward."
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