Significant blow for Nicky Henderson as Altior is ruled out of Champion Chase

Altior has been ruled out of Wednesday's Grade 1 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at the eleventh hour after Nicky Henderson reported he returned an unsatisfactory scope on Monday morning.

The 11-year-old, who won in 2018 and 2019, was withdrawn on the morning of the race last year after failing to recover from a setback. Altior had been available at 6-1 generally for this year's running.

Speaking to the Racing Post, Henderson said: "It's very upsetting. At least he told us, which is something. If we'd run him, well, it just doesn't bear thinking about. We've got the figures back from the laboratory and they tell their own tale.

"Fortunately he had enough sense to give a couple of coughs coming in from his exercise and we were here scoping. You could see it there and now we have the figures from the lab, which confirm he's got a bacterial infection. It shouldn't take long to clear up but I don't know whether he'll be back for Aintree or the Celebration Chase.

"Two years running he's had to pull out at the last minute, which is cruel for anyone to bear but particularly for Pat and Christopher Pugh [owners]. But that's the way of the world if you deal with horses."

Champion Chase card

Chacun Pour Soi, the general 5-6 favourite, heads a final field of ten for the Grade 1, which includes Nube Negra, who beat Altior in the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase and is available at 8-1 generally.

Defending champion Politologue and last year's Arkle winner Put The Kettle On are next best in the market at 8-1 and 10-1, while First Flow, winner of the Clarence House Chase, can be backed at 14-1.

Seven runners have been declared for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (1.20), the smallest field since eight lined up in 2013. The market is headed by Bob Olinger, who won the Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle.

Six runners remain in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (1.55), and there is an odds-on favourite in Monkfish, winner of his last six starts for trainer Willie Mullins. It is the smallest field since eight runners lined up in the race in 2016.

Monkfish: a leading contender for the Brown Advisory Novices' ChaseCredit: Caroline Norris

Last year's winner Easysland and Tiger Roll are among 14 runners for the Glenfarclas Chase (3.40), while 15 are set to line up in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper (4.50), including Kilcruit, ridden by Paul Townend, and Sir Gerhard, the mount of Rachael Blackmore.

Another big name was ruled out on Monday, with the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Annie Mc missing Friday's Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase.

Simon Clare, representing owners Coral Champions Club, said: "Unfortunately Annie Mc has had a setback and will miss the festival. Fortunately it’s not a serious issue and she could still run again this season. Cheltenham has just come a week too soon.

"We are naturally disappointed but she’s been an absolute star for us and there will be more big days ahead for her."

Champion Chase runners and riders

Chacun Pour Soi Paul Townend
Cilaos Emery Bryan Cooper
First Flow David Bass
Greaneteen Bryony Frost
Notebook Rachael Blackmore
Nube Negra Harry Skelton
Politologue Harry Cobden
Rouge Vif Gavin Sheehan
Sceau Royal Daryl Jacob
Put The Kettle On Aidan Coleman

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