RACING: Somersby set to take on Sprinter (From Bicester Advertiser)

RACING: Somersby set to take on Sprinter

10:00am Tuesday 15th January 2013 in Sport

Somersby will face jump racing’s new superstar, Sprinter Sacre, when he attempts to retain his Victor Chandler Chase crown at Ascot on Saturday.

The nine-year-old, now with Mick Channon at West Ilsley following West Lockinge trainer Henrietta Knight’s retirement last May, will be making his seasonal reappearance after being held up by a minor leg problem.

He is among nine entries for the Grade 1 contest, which are headed by Sprinter Sacre, who is the red-hot 1-6 favourite.

Somersby, who gave Knight her last Grade 1 success when beating Finian’s Rainbow and Al Ferof in this race last year, is a 7-1 chance.

He had a racecourse gallop on Kempton’s all-weather track recently.

And Knight reported: “ He had a good healthy blow and looks fantastic.

“He is set to run at Ascot, but will have a lot on his plate with Sprinter Sacre in the field.”

Victor Chandler Chase (sponsors’ odds): 1-6 Sprinter Sacre, 6-1 Sanctuaire, 7-1 Somersby, 16-1 Wishfull Thinking, 20-1 Kumbeshwar, 33-1 His Excellency, 100-1 Idarah, Mad Moose, 500-1 Kinkeel.