Matt Chapman talks all things Altior, Sprinter Sacre, whip issues and Kevin Keegan in his latest Sun Racing column

December 16, 2018

On official ratings there is no contest, Sprinter Sacre was once given a Timeform rating of 192p, the third highest in history.

But punters are not convinced the great Sprinter would have it all his own way against Altior, brilliant winner of last weekend’s main event, the Tingle Creek at Sandown.

I ran a Twitter poll on Monday, and asked the public who was the best out of Altior, Master Minded, Moscow Flyer and Sprinter Sacre.

Polls like these are not an exact science, as they favour recent performers who are fresh in the mind. Also, naturally, the age of those voting has a significant bearing.

Nevertheless, the outcome was fascinating. After 24 hours of voting time and 6,404 opinions cast, the results were as follows:

Many, incidentally, will consider Master Minded’s percentage ridiculously low, as he was awesome when landing the 2008 Champion Chase by 19 lengths from Voy Por Ustedes.

However, I’m a strong believer racing enthusiasts are a glutton for consistently eyecatching efforts.

That is why Aussie hero Winx — undefeated in her last 29 starts — has so captured the imagination Down Under.

Master Minded clearly had some engine, but he didn’t always bring it to the racecourse, whereas Sprinter Sacre was generally consistent and Altior is now undefeated in 15 jumps starts.

Altior’s issue with official ratings is his running style.
He is more Sea The Stars than flashy Frankel and the problem with that is he’ll never record the figures his talent deserves.

Many felt the fabulous Un de Sceaux gave Altior a race at Sandown, and that was even suggested by the latter’s excellent rider Nico de Boinville.
But I didn’t see that.

Here we go again…

THE whip was back in the news this week after Times columnist Matthew Syed wrote it should be banned as horses are “thrashed” with it.

This was journalism at its worst, because it is not true. His words were designed to provoke reaction.

Whip use is closely monitored in racing, and I have never seen a horse “thrashed” in the UK. If it had been I would have spoken out.

The modern whip is designed to inflict no pain on horses, pain is not what helps keep a horse running.

If you inflict pain on a horse it runs slower not faster, so there is very little point in doing so if you are trying to win.

The whip debate made me think of Lester Piggott, who has had a pacemaker fitted in hospital.

Lester’s use of the whip was unique, and often described as ‘rat-a-tat-tat’. Despite that, and even though the whip was a much tougher instrument in those days, I don’t recall any horses suffering under arguably the world’s most famous jockey.

It’s a funny old game. Wishing you well, Longfellow.

Close finishes do not necessarily mean two horses have little between them. Body language strongly suggested De Boinville knew he only had to get Altior over the last two fences.

Altior is an extraordinary two-mile chaser because his best and strongest furlong is usually the last.

In that sense he’s like brilliant dual Arc hero Enable.

Most horses slow down at the end of their races. Altior is a classic example of when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

I don’t believe there is any chaser in training who can touch Altior in the 2019 Champion Chase.

His odds of 8-11 are massive for another success at Cheltenham in March. Of course few of us would take it, because it seems crazy.

That said, if Altior is in the line-up on Champion Chase day he will be much shorter. Like Winx, it’s just impossible to imagine him getting beaten.

I WAS in Ireland this week and met some stars of the footballing world, including former England legend Kevin Keegan (see below).
Keegan was once involved with the game, having bred and owned Ayr Gold Cup winner Funfair Wane.