ALTIOR BACK AT THE FRONT
Henderson eyes Festival success
ALTIOR returned to his majestic best when storming to a record third victory in the Betfair Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.
If anyone had doubted the fallen champion after he was floored by Cyrname after 19 consecutive victories at Ascot in November, those thoughts vanished after his flawless victory.
Altior beat Sceau Royal by more than three lengths, with Dynamite Dollars a further neck back in third.
“There is no doubt we were under pressure today,” said winning trainer Nicky Henderson.
“I’ve got to say I was fairly confident but on the other hand you are ready to take what you have to, that’s what racing is all about.”
A crack at a third victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase now beckons for Altior.
Henderson added: “There is improvement to come and Nico De Boinville said he will come on a lot for it.
“It was not nice at Ascot and it took a lot of getting over to be honest with you.
“We know what we have got to do between now and Cheltenham, just keep the ball rolling.”
Altior is the 9-4 second favourite, along with Chacun Pour Soi, for the Champion Chase, which has to be the headliner at Cheltenham next month, behind Defi Du Seuil at 2-1.
Native River (above right) also enhanced his prospects of adding to his 2018 success in the Cheltenham Gold Cup after taking the Denman Chase for the third time.
Partnered by Jonjo O’Neill Jnr in the absence of the injured Richard Johnson, he showed he is no back number by seeing off Secret Investor.
“They left him alone today and no one decided to come with us,” said winning trainer Colin
Tizzard.
“It was a lovely prep race for him ahead of the Gold Cup.”
Johnson is hoping to make it back for the Gold Cup but O’Neill no doubt would be very happy if that did not happen.
Tizzard added: “Jonjo is a good young rider and mentally he is a strong young man.
“He has been put under the microscope a fair bit this week but he handles it very well.