19 ON THE TROT FOR INVINCIBLE ALTIOR

ALTIOR galloped into the history books with a modern-day-record 19th straight victory over obstacles at Sandown Park.

Nicky Henderson’s superstar (right, yesterday) justified odds of 1-6 to rack up a hat-trick of triumphs in the Grade 1 Celebration Chase.

He was made to work for a two-and-a-half-length margin over Sceau Royal, and better the 18-strong sequence completed by Big Buck’s in 2012.

Yesterday’s win signed off one chapter of Altior’s remarkable career – his domination of the twomile division.

Nico de Boinville’s mount has yet to taste defeat over hurdles or fences, and Henderson said: “He told us one thing today, ‘Go further’!”

Henderson, looking ahead to a three-mile challenge at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, added: “Where the stepping stone is, I’m not quite sure, but the obvious place to go is the King George.”

Next season’s Scottish Grand National is on Talkischeap’s to-do list after he romped to a 10-length supremacy in the bet365 Gold Cup.

“We’ve been very happy with him, but I didn’t expect that performance,” said trainer Alan King.

As the jumps season drew to a close, Richard Johnson collected a fourth jockeys’ title, Paul Nicholls was crowned champion trainer for the 11th time and Bryony Frost topped the conditional riders’ table.

Frost returned from the broken collarbone that ruled her out of the Grand National to register a 50th win of the season aboard Nicholls’ Black Corton in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase.

Frost, 24, beamed: “How do fairy tales keep happening? I really don’t know! I adore the little horse – he’s one of my best friends.”