Monday 24 November 2014 19:10, UK
Nicky Henderson has yet to make a final decision on whether Sprinter Sacre will make his eagerly-awaited return to action in the 888sport Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on December 6.
The superstar two-miler has not run since being pulled up by Barry Geraghty in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton last Christmas, after which he was diagnosed with a heart problem.
That was rectified some time ago, but Henderson is hanging fire on the green light for Sandown, in a race he won with ease in 2012.
He told the Telegraph: "We're reasonably close, we've just got to see.
"I'll know by Tuesday or Wednesday where we are. It doesn't even mean he can't do a racecourse gallop this week if we get the all-clear. He's had his all-clear from Newmarket (equine specialists) and everything is tickety boo."
The Seven Barrows trainer had a disappointing afternoon at Kempton on Monday, seeing three odds-on favourites beaten, although he did manage a winner on the card through Theinval in the concluding event.
"We're just a bit behind," he said, while stressing there was nothing wrong with the well-being of his string.
