'How on earth has Altior been made favourite for the Champion Chase?'

One of the most talked about and talented horses we've seen, Altior made a winning return to action at Newbury, winning his third Win Bigger On The Betfair Exchange Chase. Our jury give their verdict

'How on earth has he been made favourite for the Champion Chase?'

He didn't have to be anywhere near his best to get back into the winner's enclosure but it was a pretty hard watch in the home straight.

Altior seemed to race with enthusiasm through the first part of the race but struggled when hitting a big flat spot at a crucial stage as they quickened. His jumping was fluent but slow, which will be found out in the Champion Chase against the slick Defi Du Seuil and Chacun Pour Soi, and he failed to immediately quicken when asked.

The saving grace was the way he put the race to bed after the last fence, which was super impressive, but the fact that bookies shortened him as a result of his success is ludicrous. I expected more, how on earth has he been made favourite for the Champion Chase?
Tom Collins, tipster

Nico de Boinville asks Altior to quicken on the run to the lineCredit: Alan Crowhurst

'Defi Du Seuil would still be my pick in the Champion Chase'

It was textbook Altior. It was nice to see him racing enthusiastically in the early stages but he hit his customary flat spot, which was emphasised by some shoddy jumping.

He put it to bed in the way that only he can on the run to the line, a trademark which has seen him overcome almost every obstacle put in front of him in his career.

He was entitled to do what he did and will have more on his plate at Cheltenham, especially if Chacun Pour Soi can get him out of his comfort zone from the front. Defi Du Seuil will be stalking in behind, and he would still be my pick in the Champion Chase. What a race it promises to be.
Maddy Playle, RPTV

'It would be quackers not to fear Altior'

If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.

If it jumps like an Altior, hits a flat spot like an Altior and then finishes with the strength of an Altior, it almost certainly is Altior.

What we saw at Newbury on Saturday was not just Altior, it was the one and only Altior – and the horse who looks the horse to beat in what is undoubtedly the most enthralling race of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.

The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase was already set to be a fabulous affair, with Defi Du Seuil and Chacun Pour Soi both striking winners of their most recent Grade 1 outings.

Altior (left) jumps the last fence before winning at NewburyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Now a ticket has been bought by a superstar who had won 19 consecutive races before his defeat at the hands of Cyrname when upped in trip at Ascot 77 days ago. How great it was to see Altior winning once again.

At the third-last fence he spent longer in the air than an A380. That is sometimes what Altior does.

After the second-last fence he momentarily seemed tapped for toe and in trouble. That is also what Altior sometimes does.

For many years now, however, there has not been a horse in training who finishes a race with the power and enthusiasm of Altior, who duly stormed away from Newbury's final fence in a manner that gladdened the heart.

This is a horse who has won at the last four Cheltenham Festivals. This is a horse who also looks every bit as good as he ever did. This is therefore also the horse who deserves to be Champion Chase favourite.

Those bookmakers who disagree are probably taking an unnecessary risk.
Lee Mottershead, reporter

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