Henderson admits Altior wasn't fit enough for Cyrname clash

Nicky Henderson has admitted it was a mistake to run Altior at Ascot in November and says the crack chaser "wasn't fit enough" for his famous clash with Cyrname.

The outstanding two-miler suffered a first defeat in 20 races when stepped up to two miles five furlongs in a long-anticipated showdown between the two highest-rated jumpers in training, beaten just over two lengths in the Christy 1965 Chase.

That Grade 2 contest was chosen as preparation for Altior's intended step up to three miles in the King George VI Chase at Kempton, but the trainer said on Saturday: "It wasn't wise in retrospect because Altior wasn't fit enough and possibly we both paid the price for it, but you've got only a certain amount of races.

Watch Altior's defeat by Cyrname

"That's the nature of the game at the minute. It was all about timing – there was nowhere else to go to try him over a longer trip before the King George."

Altior was ruled out of the King George after being reckoned below his best in a gallop beforehand and also missed the Desert Orchid Chase back over two miles at Kempton due to an abscess.

But he is on course for next Saturday's Grade 2 Unibet Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton after pleasing in a workout under Nico de Boinville.

"Nico rode him this morning and said he felt great," said Henderson, who also has the ten-year-old in the Grade 1 Matchbook Clarence House Chase at Ascot the following Saturday. "Nico was very pleased, whereas two weeks ago he wasn't.

"We want to see how he goes tomorrow before making a final decision but I would be keen to go to Kempton if all goes well. He's in the Clarence House but you have to be as Kempton could be snowed off next week."

Stablemate Santini is set to warm up for a possible crack at the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup later this month after a similarly pleasing workout on Saturday.

Last season's RSA Chase second has not raced since scrambling home at 1-3 in a four-runner intermediate chase at Sandown in November and Henderson said: "Santini was mad fresh this morning and the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham [on January 25] is where I'd like to go. His work was good but he was fresh coming home."

Santini: being aimed at the Cotswold ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Henderson will be without star inmates Buveur D'Air (leg) and Angels Breath (tendon), who were confirmed as sidelined for the rest of the season due to injury before Christmas.

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