Altior is back on his Game

NICKY HENDERSON yesterday confirmed the mighty Altior put in a “very, very impressive” workout this weekend.

As a result, the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on Saturday week is “a distinct possibility” for Altior’s seasonal debut.

Henderson’s eightyear-old, the evenmoney favourite to extend his unbeaten record over fences in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on March 14, underwent breathing surgery in December.

But the Seven Barrows trainer was glowing yesterday after Altior’s gallop under big-race jockey Nico de Boinville in Lambourn.

“He was very, very impressive — brilliant,” said Henderson. “He moved sweetly, didn’t take a blow and he didn’t make any noises.

“I was very pleased. It was absolutely excellent — as good as ever.

“If it was very soft at Newbury, he’d be very unlikely to run in the Game Spirit, but if it was very good, there’s a distinct possibility that he will,” added Henderson.

Nigel Twiston-davies will conduct some tests on Bristol De Mai after the grey’s flat third in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

“He was very disappointing,” said Twiston-davies. “We’ll do some tests on him but he could still run in the Gold Cup, and he’ll get an entry in the National.”

Toast Of New York finished last behind Gun Runner in the Pegasus World Cup on Saturday.