Sprinter Sacre stays in training

Nicky Henderson believes he saw "a shoot" of recovery in Sprinter Sacre after he finished second in the bet365 AP McCoy Celebration Chase at Sandown.

The nine-year-old had plenty of question marks hanging over him heading into the Grade One event, having been pulled up in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham last time out on what was just his second run back after a lengthy absence due to a heart problem.

Henderson was eager to give his former star two-miler, who was rated 188 in his pomp, another chance on the track before making any decisions on his future.

While Sprinter Sacre did not demonstrate the brilliance that saw him go unbeaten in 10 chase starts between 2011-13, his six-length defeat at the hands of Special Tiara has encouraged Henderson.

He said: "I have to be pleased with that as he looked fantastic and he ran his race.

"It was an awful shame they watered the course at this time of year when he's a horse that blatantly wants good ground.

"I think we had reason to come here to see how he did in his next race. I don't see any reason to stop and we can build on that.

"He made a bit of a noise at Cheltenham but made no noise today and there was no sign of blood.

"He travelled well and finished his race - that was a shoot."