Henderson: Altior's work makes me wonder about stepping him up in trip

Altior's speed on the gallops has left Nicky Henderson questioning whether his dual Champion Chase winner will have the stamina to beat Cyrname in Saturday's big showdown at Ascot.

Henderson is putting Altior up to the challenge racing fans have been demanding in the Christy 1965 Chase over two miles five furlongs, but the two-mile champion is testing his trainer's faith.

Altior will be having his first try beyond two and a quarter miles as Henderson plots a route to the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase over three miles at Kempton on Boxing Day.

But the trainer said: "If you'd seen Altior last Friday you'd say it can't be the right thing to be stepping him up in trip. If he's a stayer he's the most remarkable horse I've seen.

"I agree everyone is right that if he's to be a true champion he has to win over a variety of trips. But I still say the way he works he doesn't look like he's going to stay. He has such speed, so I hope his jumping helps him relax because when he goes into attack mode that'll be it."

There is plenty at stake in what could be the race of the year as Altior goes into the contest with only second billing according to the handicapper, who has Cyrname rated 1lb higher thanks to his victory in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase in February on his latest start.

Cyrname: Ascot Chase winner is 1lb higher than Altior on official ratingsCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Altior is rated 175 compared to his rival's 176 after his unbeaten 2018-19 season that stretched his winning sequence to 19, including a second success in the the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Henderson, speaking at a Ladbrokes-sponsored gallops event at Newbury on Tuesday, said: "People have been building this up as something everyone wants to see and it's good for racing. We have a lot of questions to answer and we're going to learn a lot but we'll take it on the chin if he's beaten as he has got to get beaten one day."

Henderson, who ruled out the even longer Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday, for which Altior is also entered, added: "It's a fascinating clash and we'll find out if the handicapper is right. I'd like a few dry days but he's all set to go and in great form."

It is 280 days since Cyrname last raced, when he beat Waiting Patiently by 17 lengths in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase.

Harry Derham, assistant to trainer Paul Nicholls, said: "I think going into a race against Altior you're never going to feel confident. But I wouldn’t swap him. He obviously loves the track and he's very well. We have said for a long time now that the King George is the target.

"I suppose he has relaxed slightly now in that he trusts Scott and we are allowed to train him a bit more normally, which is great, but he is still a pretty difficult ride at times."

Altior was a top-priced 8-11 chance on Tuesday, with Cyrname available at 5-4. Nicola McGeady, of Ladbrokes, who on Tuesday went 8-13 about Altior, said: “Many may be divided between Altior and Cyrname but that’s not the case with our punters, as we have seen twice as much money for Nicky Henderson’s star."

Top Notch, one of five entered in the race, will not be joining stablemate Altior. Henderson said he would wait for December's Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon.

Ascot clerk of the course Chris Stickels said on Tuesday: “The going remains soft. We’re forecast milder conditions from Thursday, with more showers. We could get 4mm on Thursday, and then 2mm on Friday and Saturday.”

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