The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
High hopes for Altior to defend his crown on Kempton return
Altior is firmly on course to defend his crown in the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton on Friday.
The Nicky Henderson-trained nine-year-old was stepped up in distance this season with the primary objective of being aimed at the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.
However, he suffered his first defeat in 20 starts over jumps when runner-up to Cyrname at Ascot last month – and Henderson subsequently ruled out a tilt at the King George following an unsatisfactory workout on December 14.
The Seven Barrows handler has been more encouraged by his recent performances on the Lambourn gallops, though, and he will return to the twomile distance over which he has dominated for this latest assignment.
Henderson said: “The ground at Kempton will be better than most places and that’s why we are going there. Nico (de Boinville) was not happy with him the other weekend, but he was happy with his work this weekend and he schooled phenomenally during the week.
“I’m pleased with him now and hopefully we can get him back on track.”
Meanwhile, Paul Nicholls is double-handed with Danny Whizzbang and Master Tommytucker as he seeks a fifth win in the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
The Ditcheat handler first took the three-mile prize, now named after his five-time King George VI Chase hero, with See More Indians in 1993.
His second came 10 years later with Strong Flow in 2003, followed by Breedsbreeze in 2008 and Black Corton two years ago.
Both his runners made winning debuts over fences following long absences.
Master Tommytucker returned from a 408-day layoff to beat Who Dares Wins over two and a quarter miles at this course a month ago, while Danny Whizzbang was the outsider of three when overturning the odds-on Reserve Tank at Newbury four weeks ago on his first start for 270 days.