Nicky Henderson looking forward to taking wraps off Altior in Celebration Chase

Dual Champion Chase hero Altior is in flying form ahead of the bet365 Celebration Chase, with Nicky Henderson admitting that keeping him out of harms way before Saturday's Grade 1 at Sandown is his biggest challenge.

Altior has been seen only once on a racecourse this season after heavy rain scuppered his appearance in the Tingle Creek in December and a bacterial infection forced him to miss the Cheltenham Festival for the second year running.

Alluding to what he has taken to be harsh criticism of the problems that have beset Altior, Henderson said on Monday: "At least it proves to the world he's still here because they probably doubt me. We keep putting films of him schooling out and things like that.

"But he's been in great form. His work's been good and as usual his schooling has been unbelievable. He did his last bit of work on Saturday, which was good."

Altior has been in sparkling form on the gallops in recent weeksCredit: Edward Whitaker

Celebration Chase entries

The 11-year-old could face a maximum of eight runners and is not expected to have things all his own way. The sponsors have Altior, Champion Chase heroine Put The Kettle On and Nube Negra co-favourites at 9-4.

Henderson said of the three-time Celebration Chase winner: "He's all good to go. With him, the way it's gone is he's been thwarted at the 11th hour so many times through no fault of his own.

"They were just ridiculous, niggly things that just jump up and bite you, and they always tend to do it the day before a big race; so he's got to get through this week.

"I'm not going to let him read the paper. He won’t know that he’s been entered, he'll have no knowledge of what is happening."

Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper and his staff have been watering the jumps tracks at Sandown almost constantly since the Monday after Cheltenham as the weather has thrown an unenviable combination of a cold and dry spring at them.

The going remains good, good to firm in places with Cooper describing the track as "80-20" in favour of the former, although for Henderson the lack of rain is the last thing that would keep Altior from running.

"It's what he prefers," said Henderson. "He worked on our grass last week and, while it was after we'd had a bit of snow, it was lovely, good ground. There's only certain horses you'd work on it, but he'd be one of them and he loved it. He really bounced off it."

Clan Des Obeaux has been left in at the top of the weights for the bet365 Gold Cup on SaturdayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Genuine Grade 1 performers lining up in handicaps is almost something lost in a bygone age, but Paul Nicholls has left topweight Clan Des Obeaux in the bet365 Gold Cup.

Should the dual King George winner line up, he would shoulder at least 12lb more than any other runner, with the Venetia Williams-trained Cepage next on 11st. Crosspark would be the third highest-weighted runner on 10st 7lb.

bet365 Gold Cup entries

Fellow Nicholls-trained challenger Enrilo is number seven on the list and is the last horse set to carry the correct weight, while the well-backed Plan Of Attack would be 5lb wrong if lining up for De Bromhead.

Nicholls said: "Enrilo is an intended starter in the bet365 Gold Cup. I have confirmed Clan Des Obeaux for the same race and will make a decision about his participation later in the week."

Nicholls is set to be well represented across the meeting, with Frodon on course for the Oaksey Chase – for which Tiger Roll holds an entry – while Dolos will join Greaneteen in the Celebration Chase.

Sponsor's prices for bet365 Gold Cup: 11-2 Clan Des Obeaux, Kitty's Light, 6 Plan Of Attack, 8 El Presente, 10 Potterman, 14 Golan Fortune, 16 bar

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