NICKY COULD HAND ALTIOR FANS A CHRISTMAS BONUS
ALTIOR may still run at Kempton’s Christmas meeting despite not featuring among the seven entries for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase on Boxing Day. Trainer Nicky Henderson said he would be speaking to owner Patricia Pugh about running Altior in the Desert Orchid Chase 24 hours later after seeing tangible signs that the gelding has got over his bruising defeat by Cyrname in last month’s Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot. Altior won last season’s Desert Orchid Chase by 19 lengths from Diego Du Charmil. Yesterday Henderson said: ‘I might run Altior (in the Desert Orchid Chase). I will speak to the owners tonight. His work this week has been miles better than last week.’ Henderson had virtually ruled Altior out of the King George last weekend after he lacked his usual mojo in a work-out under jockey Nico De Boinville. His presence at Kempton would be a major fillip to day two of the meeting. Cyrname, the 13-8 favourite, heads the seven King George entries alongside his Paul Nichollstrained stablemate and 2018 King George winner Clan Des Obeaux.
Colin Tizzard-trained duo Lostintranslation and Thistlecrack, the 2016 winner, line up in opposition. The field also includes Venetia Williamstrained Aso, Willie Mullinstrained Footpad and Warren Greatrex-trained La Bague Au Roi. Henderson was successful at Ascot yesterday with the impressive Angels Breath, who beat sole rival Mont Des Avaloirs 23 lengths in the Grade Two Jacquart Noel Novices’ Chase. But it was a bittersweet victory with Angels Breath leaving the course in the horse ambulance after sustaining a worrying cut close to the tendon in his off fore-leg.