'He's a fighter' - Altior reported out of danger after suffering severe bout of colic

Nicky Henderson said that Altior "appears to have come out of the other side" as his former superstar continues on the road to recovery following a severe bout of colic.

The 13-year-old had been moved into intensive care having undergone two operations just over a week ago but is likely to return home to Mick Fitzgerald on Friday.

A four-time Cheltenham Festival winner when trained at Henderson's Seven Barrows yard, Altior was described as a "fighter" by Henderson, who is delighted with how his former flagbearer has improved.

"I'm delighted to say that it is 'good' news as Altior appears to have come out of the other side and seems to be over the worst of his severe bout of colic," Henderson wrote on his Unibet blog on Thursday.

"It's been a long, slow process and we were all extremely worried at one time and very concerned he might not pull through, but thankfully due to the excellent work from everyone at Donnington Grove, especially Kate McGovern, Rosie and the whole team who stayed with him on a 24-hour watch, it looks as though Altior will be able to return home to the Fitzgerald family tomorrow.

"He's had a great week and everything seems to be working so we hope he is on the road to recovery. It's very rare for any horse to survive what Altior has gone through and his chances were not very promising at all. He must be very tough and brave. He was a fighter on the racecourse and is most definitely a fighter off it as well."

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