PAUL Nicholls saw his attempt to land the Queen Mother Champion Chase for a second year fall away as a fairytale return from injury saw Sprinter Sacre claim a masterful victory at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday.
Overston-raised Nicholls entered last year’s winner Dodging Bullets for the Champion Chase but it did not happen this year and the 10-1 shot fell away to the back of the field as Sprinter Sacre crossed the line.
Dodging Bullets arrived four lengths down on the winner in seventh place, just ahead of last placed Sire De Grugy.
Sprinter Sacre, at 5-1, surged past a tame Un De Sceaux two out and pulled clear under Nico de Boinville to bring a packed house down at Prestbury Park.
Un De Sceaux, the 4-6 favourite, was still second best, beaten three and a half lengths behind the popular winner after being unable to dominate in his usual manner.
The pace had been set by Special Tiara (16-1), who was just a nose behind Un De Sceaux in third.
Henderson said: "It's been a long, long journey - those were two very, very grim years. That was unbelievable. That was about dreams, wasn't it?"
De Boinville, who recently lost his mother, said: "I'm speechless about that, it means so much to us. For him to come back like that - all credit to the guv'nor, we had a couple of desperate years with him and nearly retried him.
"I knew I had to get upsides Un De Sceaux and see what he was made of. It's incredible and I'm flabbergasted."
Nicholls earlier results yesterday saw Baoulet Delaroque come home fifth in the Coral Cup and last with Le Mercurey in the RSA Chase.
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