Henderson 'full of optimism' Altior is ready for toughest test after Newbury win

And Seven Barrows master has further news of other festival big guns

Altior: 'I couldn't have asked for more,' says Nicky Henderson of his superstar's newbury successCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Nicky Henderson acknowledges that Altior will face his stiffest opposition yet when he attempts to complete a hat-trick of Champion Chase wins on March 11, but he is full of optimism after the ten-year-old's sizzling success in Saturday's Game Spirit Chase.

Henderson never lost faith in Altior's ability to bounce back from his brutal defeat by Cyrname when trying a new trip at Ascot in November, but it had been no secret that the first defeat over obstacles after a record-breaking 19 straight wins had left a mark on both the horse himself and those around him.

As Chacun Pour Soi and Defi Du Seuil are likely to be in Champion Chase opposition next month, Altior will need to be every bit as good as he was in 2018 or 2019 - if not better - when winning at evens and at 4-11.

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Graham DenchReporter

Published on 9 February 2020inNews

Last updated 16:23, 9 February 2020

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