Henderson: Altior issue will not impact on his performance whatsoever

Nicky Henderson has emphatically stated that the lameness that temporarily jeopardised Altior's participation in Wednesday's Champion Chase will not have an impact on his performance.

There had been an 11th hour scare for fans of Altior when on Monday Henderson revealed the horse was lame with pus located in his foot. However, good news was forthcoming on Tuesday, when Altior was declared sound and ready to run in the Champion Chase, where he will meet Douvan in a mouthwatering clash.

Henderson said: "He's fine and 100 per cent sound this morning. What happened to him wouldn't be that unusual with a horse at all. It happens all the time, which is why it was very simple to treat. The only day it would really have mattered would have been the day of the race. Then we would have been in trouble.

"It won't impact on his performance in any way whatsoever, unless it goes backward again. However, we put a shoe on him this morning at six o'clock and he was 100 per cent sound. He had the routine exercise he would normally have had. He is fit and has not missed any work.

"The only thing that changed is he went on the water treadmill on Monday instead of cantering, but if that was going to make any difference he wouldn't be winning anyway."

However, the trainer also had some bad news, with perennial Champion Hurdle runner-up My Tent Or Yours forced to miss Tuesday's highlight.

My Tent Or Yours, who has finished second in the Champion Hurdle three times, including 12 months ago behind stablemate Buveur D'Air, joins stablemate Verdana Blue in missing out.

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