Altior ‘lame’ but Henderson hopes to make Champion Chase

Al ti or has suffered a fitness scare in preparation for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival tomorrow.

The star eight-year-old is hot favourite for the twomile championship, but has developed lameness in a leg.

Trainer Nicky Henderson said he will have a more definitive idea of whether or not he runs at Cheltenham this morning.

The Seven Barrows handler said in a statement yesterday: “Altior was unfortunately lame this morning in his nearfore leg and we have located some pus in the frog (of his foot).

“Hew ass tillable to exercise in the water treadmillthis morning, which he regularly does anyway, and a poultice will now be applied and left on overnight to draw out the pus.

“The foot will also be ‘tubbed’ (stood in salt water) at regular intervals and the shoe will hopefully be replaced first thing tomorrow morning.

“Both our vet and farrier are working very hard and are more than hopeful that he will even be able to canter tomorrow and therefore confident he will be clear to race on Wednesday.

“Obviously, we will monitor the situation and keep everybody up to date with his progress, but there will nothing more to say until tomorrow morning.”

Altior is unbeaten in seven starts over fences and is due to face Irish ace Douvan in the showpiece event on day two of the big meeting.

Henderson’s ace has missed most of the season after undergoing wind surgery in November but made a most accomplished return to action in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury last month.