Altior extends unbeaten run in Clarence House Chase at Ascot

Nicky Henderson's jumping superstar Altior landed his 17th consecutive victory with an effortless success in the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

Ridden by regular partner Nico de Boinville, Altior, who was sent off a 1-10 favourite against just two rivals, led from the moment the flag was dropped and, despite repeatedly jumping left, proved far too good for his opponents and was eased down close home.

The champion two-miler is now likely to be given a break to recover as he builds towards another crack at the Queen Mother Champion Chase, for which he remains an unchanged 4-7 shot.

Henderson said: "Jumping left-handed is the sort of thing you see horses do around here. That was great, he's had a nice time, jumped well and done his own thing out in front.

"I think he was probably just idling out in front. Yes, he did drift to his left a couple of times, but it's not his natural trait to do that and it'll be left-handed next time anyway!"

De Boinville added: "It was the first time he's made the running for a long time and he was just having a look around. He could have done with a lead. There was no point getting stuck in behind anything, though.

"It's great he's built up such a nice sequence, he's a great horse and he can have a nice break now as we freshen him up for Cheltenham."

Colin Tizzard's Fox Norton came home in second on his return from a long absence, while Diego Du Charmil finished third.

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