Confident Altior hits top gear to put Cheltenham build-up back on track
Altior’s preparations for his defence of the Queen Mother Champion Chase are back on course after Nicky Henderson’s superstar horse returned to winning ways at Newbury yesterday.
Jockey Nico de Boinville ensured the 1-3 favourite used his celebrated late acceleration to end the challenge of Dynamite Dollars and secure victory by 3¼ lengths in the Win Bigger On The Betfair Exchange Chase.
Altior’s 19-race winning run had ended last time out in November, when beaten by Cyrname at Ascot, having been stepped up in trip. He then missed an outing at Christmas with an abscess, but yesterday’s performance prompted bookmakers to trim his odds for the Champion Chase, in which he will pursue a hat-trick of victories.
Henderson is optimistic about their prospects. “We’ve had a few hiccups along the way, but we’re getting there,” the trainer said. “What we really liked was the way he put it to bed – the gears are still there.” On Cheltenham, Henderson said: “He’s only in one race, so we don’t have to question what we are doing. There is improvement to come and Nico said he will come on a lot for it.
“It was not nice at Ascot and it took a lot of getting over. Nico said today would have done him the world of good. His jumping and everything just gained in confidence all the way. It was just a matter of when he pressed the button and let him go. We know what we have got to do between now and then [Cheltenham] – just keep the ball rolling.
“He has been more flamboyant than that, but we were under pressure today. It is nice it is done and he goes in there to try to retain his crown.”
Former Gold Cup winner Native River landed the Denman Chase, never looking in danger and finishing strongly to beat Secret Investor by 2¾ lengths.
The major betting race of the day, the Betfair Hurdle, went to the 33-1 shot Pic D’Orhy.