ALTIOR SET TO TINGLE
ALTIOR will face a stern test if he is to retain his unbeaten record in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase on Saturday.
Nicky Henderson’s stable star has won all his 14 starts over hurdles and fences including the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March.
But among his rivals on Saturday could be Un De Sceaux, Sceau Royal and Saint Calvados.
A well-publicised breathing problem ruled Altior out of the Tingle Creek last year and the first half of the previous campaign.
But he has top-class form at Sandown having won the Celebration Chase in the past two years and he is reported to be firing on all cylinders for his imminent return.
Henderson said: “So far he has been frighteningly good but it’s never going to be easy – it’s going to be a tough race.
“We will look after him for the rest of the week and hope all goes well with him. It is shaping up to be a very good race but we are delighted with him.”
Un De Sceaux won the 2016 Tingle Creek and could bid to regain his crown for Willie Mullins.
The champion trainer has also entered the prolific Great Field and Min, while Henry de Bromhead’s Special Tiara completes the potential Irish challenge.
Saint Calvados caused an upset when beating the Mullins-trained Footpad on his seasonal reappearance at Naas and his trainer Harry Whittington has already stated his intention to have a crack at Altior.
Sceau Royal is an interesting contender for Alan King after returning from a 10-month absence with an impressive victory in last month’s Shloer Chase at Cheltenham.
Betfair spokesman Barry Orr said: “While Champion Chase winner Altior is odds-on at 5-6, he definitely won’t have everything his own way.”