Sprinter Sacre beaten into second on return to action at Ascot

After more than 12 months off the track, the Queen Mother Champion Chase winner of 2013 was beaten by Dodging Bullets in the Sodexo Clarence House Chase at Ascot

Every racing fan in the world was glued to Ascot today to see the return to action of Sprinter Sacre. The nine-year-old was one of the biggest names in the game in 2013, and his win in the Queen Mother Champion Chase that year was one of the all time Cheltenham Festival highlights. But a heart problem was discovered after a poor run at Kempton in December 2013 and there were fears if we would ever see the horse in action again. However, after some encouraging gallops showings in recent weeks, today brought an end to 386 days of inaction. To be honest, as they said in commentary, it appeared that Barry Geraghty was coaxing the horse around rather than pushing it too hard. Sent off the favourite at 4/6, Geraghty kept the horse in fourth while Somersby set the pace upfront. Four from home Sprinter Sacre made a powerful leap and the crowd rose to see the champion show some of his old spark. Initially he did but the spark soon faded as Tingle Creek winner Dodging Bullets loomed and passed out the favourite at the last. Geraghty never really pushed up the finish and Dodging Bullets took the spoils by three or four lengths, with Sprinter Sacre second. Afterwards Henderson said his horse just got tired. A lot done, more to do, but it is great to see him back.