JUMPS RACING PHENOMENON Sprinter Sacre made it nine successive wins at Aintree today by winning the Grade One Melling Chase in impressive fashion.
The seven-year-old — known as the Frankel of the jumps scene — made light of the extra half-mile to his preferred distance of two miles to cruise home 4.5 lengths clear of the much-fancied Cue Card. Irish raider Flemenstar, who had missed last month’s Cheltenham Festival specifically for this race, was a distant third.
Sprinter Sacre — trained by Nicky Henderson — had failed to win on his previous outing over the distance in a hurdle race a couple of years ago but never looked troubled under Barry Geraghty. Geraghty brought him upsides Cue Card, who won impressively over this distance at Cheltenham, in the run-up to the final fence and then eased him home at the prohibitive odds of 1/3 on favourite.
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Henderson, who looks almost certain to be crowned British champion trainer this season, has trained many great horses through the past 30 years but Sprinter Sacre, winner of 12 of his 14 starts and placed in the other two, is the best for him.
“Barry was never worried about it (the trip),” said the 62-year-old. “When you get something as special as that you have to mind it, you have to look after it. That is as good as you get.”
Geraghty, who teamed up with Henderson to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month with Bobs Worth, also professed that Sprinter Sacre was a bit out of the ordinary. “He’s something special, he’s perfection. He was foot perfect,” said the 33-year-old Irishman.
I’d have to disagree there. A small change turns an innocuous comment about the nature of the autumn series into a dig at Ireland, as if he considered the match as nothing more strenuous than a warm-up with a practice squad. Needless sensationalism, in my own humble opinion.
The headline says “Ireland were great for practicing against, declares hooper”
What he actually said was “these games are great for practising and getting systems in place”
He made no specific reference to Ireland as opposed to any other team they play this autumn, but from reading the headline you would think he was disrespecting Ireland.
In fairness Patrick your usually fair enough but I think your off the mark this time.
The headline says “Ireland were great for practicing against, declares hooper”
What he actually said was “these games are great for practising and getting systems in place”
He made no specific reference to Ireland as opposed to any other team they play this autumn, but from reading the headline you would think he was disrespecting Ireland.
In fairness Patrick your usually fair enough but I think your off the mark this time.
Totally agree. The headline says something totally different to what the article reports. Headline suggests they totally disrespected Ireland which couldn’t be further from the truth judging by his full comment.
Incorrect Patrick, there’s quite a bit of difference between the two statements and the headline suggests a personal lack of sportsmanship directed specifically at Ireland.
The Journal, sharp in it’s early incarnation, has become increasingly sloppy with headlines and content over the last while and is no longer first port of call here for news or sport.
Cheers for the comments and feedback. We have changed the headline to reflect Hooper’s drive to win three Tests in a row, for the first time, with the green & golds.
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That’s a pretty misleading headline in fairness. You’ve taken him out of context there
I don’t think ‘These games are great for practicing’ is taking anything out of context.
It looks like a poor attempt to paint the bloke in a negative, unsporting light.
I’d have to disagree there. A small change turns an innocuous comment about the nature of the autumn series into a dig at Ireland, as if he considered the match as nothing more strenuous than a warm-up with a practice squad. Needless sensationalism, in my own humble opinion.
Yeah, bad headline
The headline says “Ireland were great for practicing against, declares hooper”
What he actually said was “these games are great for practising and getting systems in place”
He made no specific reference to Ireland as opposed to any other team they play this autumn, but from reading the headline you would think he was disrespecting Ireland.
In fairness Patrick your usually fair enough but I think your off the mark this time.
The headline says “Ireland were great for practicing against, declares hooper”
What he actually said was “these games are great for practising and getting systems in place”
He made no specific reference to Ireland as opposed to any other team they play this autumn, but from reading the headline you would think he was disrespecting Ireland.
In fairness Patrick your usually fair enough but I think your off the mark this time.
I agree it is misleading…looking to stir something up…
Totally agree. The headline says something totally different to what the article reports. Headline suggests they totally disrespected Ireland which couldn’t be further from the truth judging by his full comment.
Incorrect Patrick, there’s quite a bit of difference between the two statements and the headline suggests a personal lack of sportsmanship directed specifically at Ireland.
The Journal, sharp in it’s early incarnation, has become increasingly sloppy with headlines and content over the last while and is no longer first port of call here for news or sport.
Another misleading headline
He did not mention ireland at all.
my granny would walk through that irish defence
She must be quick
Your headline is f@#kin joke. Typical. This site is gone to hell!
Has thejournal got a new editor recently? The headlines lately are ridiculous.
I’m really starting to get annoyed with the sensational tabloid headlines
Headline completely out of context. Trying to justify it is even worse.
Cheers for the comments and feedback. We have changed the headline to reflect Hooper’s drive to win three Tests in a row, for the first time, with the green & golds.
Cowboy
This site is getting worse by the day. Sad effort of a headline in fairness. No need for it.
Lmao…He just telling the truth…
It’s common sense what he’s saying
The score/the Sun
The Score is quickly slipping into Tabloid territory, come on lads, clean it up!
He’s right In a way! You could practice anything you like against that irish team?