Superstars Sprinter Sacre and Cue Card among the aces at Sandown
Old rivals Sprinter Sacre and Cue Card will come head-to-head again at Sandown on Saturday, when two of the most popular jumps horses of the modern era feature in a parade of equine stars past and present before racing.
A length and a quarter separated Sprinter Sacre and Cue Card when they finished third and fourth in the 2011 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, but Nicky Henderson's former ace had the advantage in subsequent clashes in the Arkle and Melling Chase.
They will be joined at Sandown at 12.45pm by emerging Seven Barrows superstar Might Bite, winner of the RSA Novices' Chase at the festival, while Willoughby Court, who gave Ben Pauling a day he will never forget when landing the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle, will also take part, as will Nigel Twiston-Davies's The New One, Bristol De Mai and Ballyandy.
Sandown, which brings the curtain down on the 2016-17 jumps campaign, will be another leg in Sprinter Sacre's farewell tour as he will also parade at Punchestown on Tuesday.
"For us, Sprinter Sacre's visit to Punchestown in 2013 was one of the greatest and most memorable days racing we've had," said Henderson.
"The reception we received was unforgettable and we are delighted to be able to bring him to Ireland to say goodbye. This is definitely his farewell tour – he's like The Rolling Stones!"
Other highlights at Sandown on Saturday will include presentations being made by Olympic gold medal-winning showjumper Nick Skelton, Shona McCallin, Nicola White, Giselle Ansley and Hollie Webb from Great Britain's successful women's hockey team, and former England international footballer Wayne Bridge.
The jumps horse of the year will be also been honoured at Sandown and voting closes on Monday evening at midnight.
Published on 23 April 2017inNews
Last updated 18:36, 23 April 2017
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