Altior Champion Chase run in the balance after superstar shows 'improvement'

Altior has been declared for Wednesday's Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase after making good progress in his bid to overcome a last-minute setback, but his participation remains in the balance.

The two-time Champion Chase winner was reported lame by Nicky Henderson on Sunday, with the trainer admitting his star chaser faces a "battle against time" to make the day-two highlight.

Champion Chase racecard

Speaking on Monday morning, Henderson said: "We've declared Altior on the grounds he has made good improvement from yesterday. He has sensitivity on the splint and resented you pressing it yesterday. But he's nothing like as reactive today.

"On the grounds of that improvement overnight we've got to give him every chance to run. He's on the treadmill walking and will do the same tonight. We must give him a chance."

Altior features alongside Defi Du Seuil and Chacun Pour Soi in a seven-strong field for what has been billed as the race of the week.

Dynamite Dollars, Politologue, Sceau Royal and Bun Doran complete the line-up, with A Plus Tard and Min seemingly set for Thursday's Ryanair Chase after being taken out.

Champion Chase runners and riders

Altior Nico de Boinville
Bun Doran Jonathan Burke
Chacun Pour Soi Paul Townend
Defi Du Seuil Barry Geraghty
Dynamite Dollars Harry Cobden
Politologue Harry Skelton
Sceau Royal Daryl Jacob

Willie Mullins is responsible for three of the ten runners in the RSA Chase – Allaho, Castlebawn West and Easy Game – but Faugheen is not among his team for the 3m½f contest. Colin Tizzard-trained pair Copperhead and Slate House and favourite Champ also feature in the line-up.

Envoi Allen is the star attraction in the 12 declarations for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle. The main opposition to the Gordon Elliott-trained favourite will come from Sporting John, The Big Getaway and The Big Breakaway after Albert Bartlett favourite Thyme Hill was not confirmed.

Dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll faces 15 rivals in his bid to win the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase for the third consecutive year.

Cheltenham Wednesday card in full

Read more on the Champion Chase:

Altior a doubt for Champion Chase after Henderson reveals star chaser is lame

Confident Mullins hoping 'classy' Chacun Pour Soi up to Champion Chase challenge

Dynamite Dollars the value to explode into Champion Chase reckoning

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