Sprinter Sacre edges closer to return

Nicky Henderson hopeful top-rated horse will be back in action shortly

A decision on whether Sprinter Sacre will return to action in 2014 will be known in the coming days according to Nicky Henderson. It had been hoped the two-miler would feature in next month's Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown after almost a full year out of action. Barry Geraghty pulled up in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton last Christmas and the Quenn Mother Champion Chase winner was then diagnosed with a heart condition. He previously won the December feature at Sandown in 2012 and it was hoped he would be fit enough to take part his year. Henderson explained to the Telegraph "We're reasonably close, we've just got to see. I'll know by Tuesday or Wednesday where we are. It doesn't even mean he can't do a racecourse gallop this week if we get the all-clear. He's had his all-clear from Newmarket and everything is tickety boo". It would be great to see the horse back in action but Henderson is wisely erring on the side of caution with one of the most talented horses in his stable until closer to declaration time next week H/T to The Telegraph