Sprinter Sacre to return in January

Former champion chaser Sprinter Sacre has been given the all-clear to return at Ascot next month after more than a year out.

The eight-year-old has not raced since being diagnosed with a heart problem after being pulled up at Kempton last year, but a workout at Newbury on Monday returned positive results as he jumped five fences under Barry Geraghty.

Trainer Nicky Henderson told members of the media: "It's taken a bit longer than we'd have liked but we are getting there. This was a huge step in the right direction, a massive step, and we've got nearly three weeks until we want to go to Ascot, so he's got to do three more good pieces of work."

Sprinter Sacre, who has recorded victories in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the Melling Chase, and the Champion Chase, is set to be named in the field for the Clarence House Chase at Ascot on January 17.