Powering into pantheon of immortals with astonishing win

Just before half past three yesterday afternoon the map of the known jumping world was redrawn forever when Sprinter Sacre took the sport into hitherto uncharted territory with a gasp-inducing masterclass the like of which has never previously been seen over two miles of fast-flown steeplechase fences.

Rarely has the festival air crackled with such anticipatory excitement as in the minutes during which the field made its way out to parade before the purist's ultimate examination that is the Champion Chase. And it is almost impossible to convey how awesome Sprinter Sacre looked – coat gleaming like a polished mahogany table, all power and muscle coiled under Barry Geraghty and, most extraordinary of all, with an air of pure threat and lethality about him.

There is something almost scary about Sprinter Sacre, something not quite suitable for the children. To this increasingly seasoned observer he is the first x-rated chaser.