Believe the hype: here's why punters will pack into Punchestown to see Sprinter Sacre

Nicky Henderson’s champion chaser races for the first time on Irish soil later this afternoon — but how good is he?

RACING LOVERS AND punters will pack into Punchestown later this afternoon when one of the greatest horses of modern times, Sprinter Sacre, runs for the first time on Irish soil.

Nicky Henderson’s champion is the prohibitive favourite for the Boylesports.com Champion Chase, the feature race on day one of this year’s festival at the Kildare track.

But how good is he? Here’s why Sprinter Sacre has the racing world in such a tizzy:

1. He has never been beaten over fences

If he wins again today it will be his 10th straight win, a run which dates back to December 2011.

2. He has already won more than £600,000 in prize money for connections

With more than £100,000 on offer for the winner this afternoon, that number could be set to rise very shortly.

3. He made the Arkle, the top race for novice chasers, look like a complete procession in 2012

4. And he did the same in this year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase

His win at Cheltenham last month was made even more impressive by the fact that the 2011 champion Sizing Europe ran well and still finished 19 lengths back in second.

5. In fact, only one horse has managed to get within 10 lengths of him in the last year

That was Cue Card who was four-and-a-half lengths second at Aintree a few weeks ago.

6. As a result he’s already the highest-rated British jumps horse ever to run

He’s second only to Irish stars Arkle and Flyingbolt in the all-time ratings.

7. Unsurprisingly punters haven’t been able to back him at odds against since December 2011

He was sent off the 11/10 second-favourite at Kempton’s Christmas meeting in 2011 and promptly won by 16 lengths.

8. He’s a 1/12 shot to win today

That translates as a 92% chance of winning, which is as close to a certainty as there is in horse racing.

9. Whisper it… if he loses today, it will be an Irish-trained horse that finally shocks one of racing’s greats

The other four horses in the field today — Sizing Europe, Noble Prince, Days Hotel and Foildubh — are all Irish so don’t expect too many tears in the unlikely event that Sprinter Sacre meets his match.