'It'll be a thrill' - jumps greats Altior and Native River to parade at Newbury

Newbury will welcome back the now-retired duo Altior and Native River on Saturday as two of racing's most popular stars are set to parade in public for the first time since the final races of their illustrious careers.

The pair became synonymous with the Berkshire track having won there on eight occasions between them, and they will parade between the Betfair Denman Chase (2.25) and the Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase (3.00) – two races they dominated during their time on the track.

Altior won the Game Spirit on three occasions during his 19-race unbeaten sequence, which saw him also win at four Cheltenham Festivals and land ten Grade 1s in a scintillating career.

Trainer Toby Lawes was Altior's regular rider when he worked for trainer Nicky Henderson, and said: "He had everything required to be the perfect racehorse, he had the attitude, the ability, the scope, the speed, the strength, he was just flawless.

Altior was regularly ridden by now-trainer Toby Lawes at Seven BarrowsCredit: Edward Whitaker

"If he was just in the box or just being led round, he'd be quiet as anything, very kind and sweet. Once you had a rider on board, it felt like he grew two hands. He'd go round the place with this slight air of arrogance and nobility. He always knew how good he was."

Speaking of the importance of Newbury to his career, Lawes added: "It always timed in very well with Cheltenham and what he needed. Sometimes it was a confidence-booster, sometimes it was a bit tougher, but it was always a great stepping stone towards Cheltenham."

Members' Club: watch Altior win his third Game Spirit Chase

Native River won the Denman Chase three times, but one of his most popular successes came in the 2016 Hennessy Gold Cup, a race he won prior to his gallant top-weight success in the Welsh Grand National before reaching his pinnacle with victory in the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Speaking of his favourite Newbury moment, Native River's trainer Colin Tizzard's assistant and son Joe said: "It was definitely his Hennessy win – we were hoping he was going to progress into that sort of horse.

"The Hennessy has been a race that the whole family has grown up watching and I was lucky enough to ride in, it's a huge race in the season."

Native River: popular star made the Denman Chase his ownCredit: Edward Whitaker

Now a 12-year-old, Native River is set to enjoy a homely retirement, and Tizzard added: "He's going to Tom Malone, who bought him for us and Garth and Ann. He only lives about a mile down the road from Garth and Ann, so they'll actually be able to see more of him.

"He's going to lead the babies at Tom's, play about there and have a lovely retirement."

Members' Club: relive Native River's epic Hennessy success

Newbury's clerk of the course Keith Ottesen believes it will be an important day, not just for Newbury's Super Saturday fixture, but also for the sport as a whole.

"It's amazing, you get two heroes of the sport who were so successful at Newbury and many other places, making their first post-career appearances; we're really looking forward to it," he said.

"I'm sure it'll be a thrill for all the racegoers to see them and I believe ITV are making as much of it as possible, so it'll be lovely for everybody to see them."

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The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday