Altior remains classy chaser
HIS crown may have slipped last season but Altior can show that he is still the king of the two- mile chasers by taking today’s Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.
After a sensational run of 19 unblemished victories, he was outpointed by Cyrname at Ascot last season.
And further problems plagued the winner of today’s prize in 2018.
After bouncing back to his glorious best at Newbury in February, an enlarged splint bone scuppered his hopes of making it a third victory in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March.
Now a month away from his 11th birthday, trainer Nicky Henderson believes ALTIOR ( 2.25, treble) is far from slowing down.
A recent gallop at Newbury has him ready and, judging by past encounters with his rivals, today’s contest will enable Altior to resurrect his incredible career.
ALLMANKIND ( 1.50), the young pretender for top two- mile honours, will take some catching in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase.
He put in a faultless round on his chasing debut at Warwick when slamming Zanza, a winner since.
CLASSIC BEN ( 3.00) can make up for his wasted effort in last year’s void London National by taking today’s marathon contest.
Henderson can wrap up the meeting by landing the finale with last month’s impressive course and distance winner MISTER COFFEY ( 3.35).
At Aintree, the Henderson- trained SANTINI ( 2.40, nb) can make a winning return.
Last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup runner- up has an excellent record for winning on his seasonal reappearance.
ASO ( 1.30) can dash the hopes of numerous course specialists over the Grand National fences by taking the Becher Chase.
Impressive Leicester winner MEGAN ( 2.05) is booked for more success in the Fillies’ Juvenile Hurdle, while the lightly raced HUNTSMAN SON ( 3.15) can defy his 9lb higher mark in the Sefton Chase. Former Irish pointer DOCPICKEDME ( 3.07, nap) can build on his second behind Wilde About Oscar at Aintree last month by taking the honours in the novice hurdle at Chepstow.