Altior heads cracking card at Kempton for Desert Orchid Chase

The brilliant Altior, last seen winning the Tingle Creek at Sandown in a thrilling duel with Un De Sceaux, heads five declarations for tomorrow's Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton.

Patricia Pugh's eight-year-old, unbeaten over fences, will face the 2017 Champion Chase winner Special Tiara, last year's Clarence House Chase runner-up Speredek, novice Grade 1 scorer Diego Du Charmil and the Gary Moore-trained Diakali.

The Nicky Henderson-trained Altior, who was ruled out of the King George only last week and is likely to have that race as an aim next year, will bid to make it a 16th win in succession.

Henderson's last winner of the two-mile contest was the legendary Sprinter Sacre in 2015.

The Lambourn-based trainer won Chepstow's Grade 1 Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle last year with We Have A Dream and bids for a second successive win in the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede colours with Adjali.

The Coral Welsh Grand National is the highlight of Chepstow's card and the famous handicap chase is headlined by Ladbrokes Trophy runner-up Elegant Escape in a final field of 20.

Among his opponents are last year's winner Raz de Maree, still going strong at the age of 13, and topweight Ballyoptic.

Raz De Maree: last year's winner is one of the runners in the Welsh Grand NationalCredit: Getty Images

Kalashnikov, winner of his two starts over fences, will also face five rivals, including the Henry VIII Novices' Chase winner Dynamite Dollars, in the Wayward Lad Chase at Kempton.

The Amy Murphy-trained five-year-old is 7-2 with William Hill for the Racing Post Arkle in March and steps up to Graded company over fences for the first time.

Maria's Benefit, winner of a Listed mares' novice chase last time, Highway One O On and Hope's Wishes complete the line-up.

Over in Ireland, last year's Arkle winner Footpad bids to get his season back on track in the Grade 1 Paddy's Rewards Club 'Sugar Paddy' Chase at Leopardstown, won last year by Simply Ned after a stewards' inquiry, who reopposes.

The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old will be joined by stablemate Great Field, who was last seen falling in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork this month.

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