SPRINTER Sacre is likely to have one alteration to a largely identical programme this term, with trainer Nicky Henderson warning the jumping sensation could skip an end-of-season trip to Punchestown in favour of the Celebration Chase at Sandown.

Now 10 from 10 over fences, the big dark gelding launched his 2012 campaign in the Tingle Creek at Sandown before winning the Victor Chandler, Queen Mother, Melling Chase and Punchestown Champion Chase.

“He's all set for Sandown,” Henderson said.

“People have been saying what I've got to do for him to be a great chaser but we've got a perfectly good programme for him.

“We could go to Aintree, but do we go to Punchestown again? It was fantastic, but I imagine there'll be a bidding war between Punchestown and Sandown.

“Sandown is a Grade One now, with lots of prize-money, and we did go to Ireland last year.”

Sprinter Sacre is the 2-5 favourite with William Hill for the Queen Mother at Cheltenham again, and his nearest market rival is stablemate Simonsig at 5-1.

The Arkle-winning grey is out of competitive action for the time being due to a splint problem.

Henderson said: “We would have loved to have run in the King George, but we're looking at the second part of the season for him. He won't be out until after Christmas.”

After taking his first trainers' title since the mid-80s, and with a horse of a lifetime in Sprinter Sacre, Henderson still has another ambition to fulfil in winning the Grand National.

He said: “Sometimes, at the start of the season, you know you don't have a National horse, but we could even have four this year in Long Run, Triolo D'Alene, Roberto Goldback and Shakalakaboomboom.

“He (Shakalakaboomboom) was leading until the second-last fence (in 2012), and is back.”

Henderson must decide over several imminent targets to see if Long Run has any stable company in his bid for a third William Hill King George VI Chase.

The champion trainer does have five entries for Kempton's Boxing Day highlight - but two can be quickly discounted as this year's Gold Cup star Bobs Worth has the Lexus Chase or the Argento back at Cheltenham as options, while Finian's Rainbow is in hospital with a serious injury.

This leaves Captain Conan - a triple Grade One novice winner last season - and Riverside Theatre - a former King George runner-up to Long Run - but neither have been in action yet this winter.

“Captain Conan is in it,” said Henderson. “I've entered him at Newbury on Friday, but he won't run as I'll wait another week.

“He's very, very good at home, and if I wanted to try him at three miles, the only option is the intermediate chase at Sandown next week.”