HENDERSON TO LAND KO BLOW
ALTIOR rates the star attraction for Nicky Henderson’s coronation as champion trainer when Sandown stages the final day of the jumps season.
Henderson (right), who landed the title in 1986, 1987 and 2013, leads championship rival Paul Nicholls by over £172,000.
And Cheltenham’s Arkle hero Altior will put another £71,000 in the pot if he justifies odds of 4-11 in the Celebration Chase.
“He’s been freshened up since Cheltenham and this is the race we were always coming to,” said Henderson who fields 16 runners on the seven-race card. But Nicholls is the odds-on favourite for revenge in the 2017-18 season, which begins on Monday. “Paul Nicholls won’t take this defeat lying down and we make him 8-11 to bounce back,” said Betfair’s Katie Baylis. Richard Johnson, who rides star veteran Menorah in the Oaksey Chase, will pick up his second consecutive jockeys’ title trophy.