Tingle Creek main early-season aim for heavyweight champ

Nicky Henderson, who performed a minor miracle to return Sprinter Sacre to the top of the two-mile chasing tree last season, hopes the popular ten-year-old will be able to maintain that form this term, but admits a formidable rival lies in wait in the shape of imposing Racing Post Arkle winner Douvan.

Henderson earned plenty of plaudits for his handling of Caroline Mould's brilliant chaser, who brought the house down at Cheltenham in March when he regained the Champion Chase crown he won in 2013 before his career was threatened by heart problems.

Sprinter Sacre was the star turn at Henderson's Seven Barrows yard in Lambourn on Sunday, when the trainer paraded his aces for the 2016-17 campaign in front of 300 onlookers.