Sire De Grugy impresses but Cheltenham clash remains unlikely

One of the early talking-points this season has been whether Sire De Grugy is a feasible challenger to Sprinter Sacre in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

The answer is no.

However he is certainly shaping up as the second-best two mile chaser in Europe and is now 8/1 (from 16s) for the Cheltenham feature.

He became Gary Moore’s first ever Grade One winner on Saturday when he came clear after the last fence and ran on well to land the Tingle Creek.

The son of My Risk has now won six of his nine starts over fences and his beating of a back-to-form Somersby marks him down as a very good horse.

Bet on Sire De Grugy to win the Champion Chase at 8/1

Mick Channon’s runner – who was formerly trained by Henrietta Knight – won the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on his seasonal return.

However he had no answers to Sire De Grugy after the final fence.

Somersby was beaten 16 lengths by Sprinter Sacre when the pair met in last season’s Victor Chandler Chase compared to a four length winning distance for Sire De Grugy at the weekend.

A literal reading of that form suggests that an in-form Sprinter Sacre will beat Sire De Grugy every time.

Bet on Sprinter Sacre to win the Champion Chase at 1/3

Unfortunately racing fans were denied the opportunity to see a first clash between Sprinter Sacre and Sire De Grugy.

Conjecture could have been nullified by facts were it not for Nicky Henderson taking things cautiously with his stable star.

A slightly worrying tracheal wash meant that the reigning Champion Chase winner skipped a trip to Esher but it’s worth remembering that he won the Tingle Creek last year.

Fans of Sire De Grugy may point out that his winning time was eight seconds quicker than that recorded by Sprinter Sacre.