Champion Chase lowdown: all you need to know as Altior bids for 18 in a row

3.30 Cheltenham
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase | 1m7f199yds | Grade 1 | ITV/RTV

The winning machine that is Altior has a record in his sights as he seeks to continue his ruthless domination of the two-mile chasing division by posting his fourth consecutive success at the Cheltenham Festival.

After victories in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Racing Post Arkle, Altior last year devoured the Cheltenham hill once more to defeat Min in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase. If he can now retain that title his unbeaten run will be extended to 18 races, the jumping world record held by Big Buck's.

Three runs this season have yielded three typically imperious triumphs, and although some eyebrows were raised by the manner in which Patricia Pugh's superstar jumped markedly left in Ascot's Clarence House Chase, neither jockey Nico de Boinville nor trainer Nicky Henderson expressed any anxiety.

"I'm not at all concerned," said Henderson. "For a start he's going left-handed this time, but on top of that he's always been good in all his other races and jumps as straight as a gunbarrel at home.

"I'm relaxed in as far as everything has gone right. He's had a good preparation, apart from interruptions from flu jabs and snow. He's been in very good form and his work has been as good as always, which is different class.

"He has the best form but you always have to jump the fences and you don't want anyone to get in your way."

Asked whether making Altior a joint world record holder was on his mind, Henderson said: "The Big Buck's record did mean something to me until I suddenly realised Winx has won 31 consecutive races. Compared to what she's done I fear 18 consecutive wins seems rather insignificant.

"I'll be more interested about the record when Altior gets to 31 as well!"

Pros The best horse in the race, he keeps winning and his form this season has been as impressive as ever

Cons He can hit a flat spot and he did jump left at Ascot – but both those are really splitting hairs!

Min has another crack at nemesis Altior

Min represents Willie Mullins in his quest for a first Champion Chase win but his challenger faces a huge task as he attempts to lower the colours of Altior, who has twice beaten him emphatically at the festival.

The eight-year-old was thumped seven lengths by Altior in the 2016 Supreme Novices' Hurdle in 2016, then by the same margin in last year's Champion Chase.

Min has twice won at Grade 1 level this season, most recently landing the Dublin Chase by six lengths at Leopardstown, and Mullins reports him "in the form of his life" going into the race.

Altior (Nico de Boinville) pulls clear of Min for a third festival success in the Queen Mother Champion ChaseCredit: Grossick Racing 07710461723

Ruby Walsh will be seeking a fourth win in the day-two showpiece, which he won on Azertyuiop in 2004 and on Master Minded in 2008 and 2009.

He said: "Min's in terrific form and someone has to have a go at Altior. You can’t be afraid of one horse, even though you have to respect the defending champion. We’ll give it a go and if he chases Altior home he’ll have run a great race."

Pros High-class performer with three Grade 1 chase wins to his credit, two of them this season

Cons Has lost by seven lengths to Altior on two previous festival visits and no obvious reason why he should turn the tables

There's an edge on Sceau Royal for Champion test

Sceau Royal's season started with a highly impressive victory over the course and distance he now encounters in the Champion Chase. This time, however, rather more is needed.

Cheltenham has been a happy hunting ground for Alan King's team member, who generally travels with eyecatching ease. That is in his favour. Less encouraging is the fact that on the Kingwell Hurdle runner-up's only encounter with Altior he finished a 24-length last in the Tingle Creek Chase.

"I'm no under illusions about the size of the task we face, but Sceau Royal is in great form and his work at home since Wincanton has been very good," said King.

"The Kingwell Hurdle was a bit of an afterthought, but the race has put an edge on him and I just wish we were being blessed with better ground, though stepping up to two and a half miles for the Melling Chase at Aintree is an interesting option for next month."

Politologue in Champion change of plan

Politologue was thought likely to miss the festival and be kept fresh for Aintree, where he landed the biggest success of his career last April. However, not only does he run at Cheltenham, he is having a second crack at the Champion Chase, in which 12 months ago he finished fourth, beaten 23 lengths by Altior.

The championship prize gave owner John Hales one of the most memorable moments of his life when One Man won in 1998. However, his grey star needs to leave well behind a disappointing effort in the Ascot Chase on his latest outing.

Politologue is making an unexpected return to the festivalCredit: Grossick Racing Photography

Trainer Paul Nicholls, who would equal Tom Dreaper's record of six victories if successful, said: "We were going to go straight to Aintree but he’s been so well and the race has cut up, so we’re taking our chance.

"It would be nice if he could finish second to Altior, as he has done before, and he’s in good shape. He’s not got the best record at Cheltenham, but there have always been mitigating circumstances and we’ve got the tongue-tie and hood back on him. Without Altior, it would be a very open race."

Pat thinks Paddy has a squeak

Castlegrace Paddy got no further than the first fence of the Dublin Chase but is a genuine place contender on his first start outside Ireland.

"I know it will be difficult taking on these top horses, but I think he has a squeak," said trainer Pat Fahy.

"He just doesn't operate when there's sting in the ground, so I'm expecting him to run a big race with conditions to suit."

World faces stiff task reopposing Altior

Also representing Ireland is Ordinary World, who attempts to give Henry de Bromhead a third Champion Chase triumph after the wins of Special Tiara and Sizing Europe.

However, it requires a major leap of faith to imagine Rachael Blackmore's mount winning, given he was heavily outclassed by Altior at the last two Cheltenham Festivals.

Festival favourite is back again

God's Own knows all about the Champion Chase. At the age of 11 he is having his fourth crack at the prize, having finished fourth to Sprinter Sacre, fifth to Special Tiara and third to Altior.

Trainer Tom George said: "He's not showing his age and is working as well as ever. He'll be there to pick up the pieces."

Calvados is electric in cheekpieces

Saint Calvados took the scalp of Footpad earlier in the season. Now he has a second go at shocking Altior.

The Tingle Creek Chase third, most recently well beaten by Min at Leopardstown, goes to Cheltenham in great shape according to trainer Harry Whittington, who said: "He'll wear first-time cheekpieces and has been electric schooling in them."

Saint Calvados will wear cheekpieces in the Champion ChaseCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"You can draw a line through his last run. He's found it difficult in his second season chasing, but he's still only six and is definitely a horse for the future.

"It's an incredibly tough race with perhaps the greatest ever two-mile chaser, but his owner Andrew Brooks was keen to run."

Kitchen seeks to end McManus Champion drought

The colours of JP McManus have yet to be carried to Champion Chase glory but he has a chance to put his name on the roll of honour through Hell's Kitchen, who has two ways of running but is extremely talented when on song, as he most definitely was when jumping beautifully to win an Ascot handicap just before Christmas.

"On his best form he's entitled to pick up some of the pieces," said trainer Harry Fry. "He had a hold-up in January and this is a stepping-stone to other spring targets."

Spotlight verdict

There is a random element in any jumps race, particularly a 2m chase, but the extraordinary talent that is Altior cannot be opposed, even at extremely short odds. He was typically strong at the finish when winning well at the last three Festivals (in the Supreme Novices', Racing Post Arkle and this race) and it is highly likely that Altior will make it 18 from 18 over obstacles today. Old rival Min, who was second to Altior in the Supreme Novices' and in this race last year, is the clear next best ahead of Sceau Royal. On his peak efforts, Politologue would be a candidate for second place but there are doubts about him regarding his current form and at this track.
Mel Cullinan

36-1 Altior to win the Champion Chase. New Paddy Power customers only.Max £/€1. Winnings paid in cash at the normal odds and are topped up to the enhanced price in free bets, valid for seven days. Only deposits with cards/PayPal count, multiple bets and in-play bets are excluded. T&Cs apply. Sign up here