ALTIOR SET TO STAY IN ARKLE DESPITE WIN

NICKY HENDERSON may have poured cold water on the idea of Altior taking on Douvan in next month’s Queen Mother Champion Chase, but success in the Arkle moved a step nearer following the Betfair Exchange Chase at Newbury.

The seven-year-old stepped out of novice company to win the same Grade Two contest his former stablemate Sprinter Sacre landed back in 2012 en route to claiming the Arkle at Cheltenham.

Faced with just three rivals, including 2015 Champion Chase hero Dodging Bullets, Altior was re-united with Nico de Boinville for the first time since last year’s Supreme win and the 30-100 favourite jumped boldly to score by 13 lengths from Fox Norton.

Following the race, Altior was shortened even further for the Arkle with Paddy Power and Boylesports making him a 1-3 chance now that main rival Min is ruled out.

Henderson said: ‘This year he has not put a foot wrong. He is a genuine two-miler and he doesn’t need to go any further. If it comes up soft now, we don’t have to panic. We are going to stay in the Arkle for sure.

‘If everything goes right and we’re all here in a year’s time, maybe Altior and Douvan can meet then. It would be great.’