FESTIVAL NEXT FOR ALTIOR
While Henderson runs Champ in Game Spirit
ALTIOR will head straight for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase after Nicky Henderson opted against a Cheltenham tune-up at Newbury next Sunday.
But Seven Barrows will have a representative in the race originally earmarked for the star two-miler’s National Hunt Festival prep – Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Champ.
The rescheduling of Betfair Super Saturday – the card takes place eight days closer to Cheltenham – has persuaded Henderson and owner Patricia Pugh that Altior should bypass the Betfair Cheltenham Free Bet Pot Builder Chase – better known as the
Game Spirit Chase – which the 11-year-old has captured three times before.
“He is in excellent form but he does tend to take his races quite hard,” reasoned Henderson.
“We have therefore decided to continue his preparation at home, and almost certainly an away day at some stage in the next 10 days.”
Champ, absent since his 11th-hour success in the three-mile Festival Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham last March, had been lined up to make his return to action in the three-mile
Betfair Denman Chase. But Henderson added: “He hasn’t run for a year, so three miles may be slightly too far for his first run of the season.
“He is a fresh horse and can be quite free in his races, so it would be harder to curtail enthusiasm and you’re never going to take as much out over two miles as you are over three.
“He could be keen and do too much, so in the interest of the Gold Cup being his ultimate goal it is preferable to run over a shorter distance which could stop him having a harder race than necessary.”