MIN WARNING

Henderson wary of the threat to star Altior

NICKY Henderson is full of respect for the threat posed by Min to red-hot favourite Altior in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday.

News emerged on Sunday that Douvan is likely to miss the two-mile championship in favour of the Ryanair Chase on Thursday, but his trainer Willie Mullins and owner Rich Ricci can still call on Min, who was a Grade One winner last time out at Leopardstown.

Henderson and Altior have prior experience of Min, having beaten the Mullins runner in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle of 2016.

The Seven Barrows trainer told At The Races: “I think when we went into that Supreme, the previous few years we always knew we were walking into trouble (against the likes of Vautour and Faugheen), we met it and got beaten.

“That year when Altior and Min met, I have to admit I was quite confident. Altior was that little bit special, I think.

“I won’t say we haven’t had an easy run in this year, only we had to stop and have a wind operation. Since that, he was very good at Newbury and we have had a good run-in now.

“Min looked very good as a novice and looked very good on his last start over fences, so he’s setting it up. It’s Min we’re going to meet instead of Douvan.”

HARD TO BEAT Altior will have to be at his best in the Queen Mother