Returning rider delighted to be back as Altior sets pulse racing at Newbury

Cheltenham's November meeting is not one Nico de Boinville will look back on with much fondness.

A year after he helped Sprinter Sacre roar back to form with a performance in the Shloer Chase that had hairs of those present standing to attention, De Boinville was decked by the Lucy Wadham-trained Le Reve in a handicap chase, leaving him with a broken arm.

Another body blow came 24 hours later when Nicky Henderson revealed Sprinter Sacre was to be retired. Along with 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Coneygree, the dashing chaser had propelled De Boinville to the big time.