Executives at Kempton have reacted with excitement at the possibility of a clash between Sprinter Sacre and Sire De Grugy.
The second day of the Winter Festival on December 27 is far quieter than the first which features the King George, but the appearance of jumping superstar Sprinter Sacre in the Desert Orchid Chase would provide a huge boost to the attendance.
Trainer Nicky Henderson will decide between that event and the Clarence House Chase at Ascot on January 18 with Sprinter Sacre scratched from last weekend’s Tingle Creek Chase due to a dirty tracheal wash.
Sire De Grugy took advantage of his absence at Sandown and his trainer Gary Moore feels Kempton’s flat layout would give his chestnut the best possible chance of toppling the two-mile (3200m) champion.
“Sprinter Sacre would be fantastic. I was lucky enough to be at Punchestown the day he ran, and what he did for the attendance,” Barney Clifford, director of racing at Kempton said.
“I reckon he can put 3000 on the gate. He would help us enormously.”
Henderson’s assistant Charlie Morlock had an update on Sprinter Sacre at a King George press event on Monday.
“I think the Kempton race would be ideal, time-wise,” he said.
“It’s just like having a snuffly nose, but he is kind of public property and if you took a risk to run him (at Sandown) and it didn’t pay off you would look very silly.”
