THERE was a muted atmosphere at Cheltenham on Sunday. Simonsig was no more and his trainer Nicky Henderson had accepted that Sprinter Sacre, the horse he brought back almost miraculously to land a second Champion Chase, could not be asked to perform any more heroics.

This wonderful steeplechaser retired with 18 victories from 24 outings. At his best the others simply did not see which way he went because he was so quick and easy over two miles. One of his winning streaks brought 10 straight victories, culminating in a quick-fire Grade 1 hat-trick: two Champion Chases at Cheltenham and Punchestown, a Melling Chase at Liverpool sandwiched in between. Tired but still too good when they thronged to see him in Ireland.