Supreme, Champion Chase, Tingle Creek and more: Altior's best performances

Altior was retired on Monday after a career spanning seven years, 26 races and countless memorable performances. We recall some of his best.

2016 Supreme Novices' Hurdle
This was the moment Altior went from being a promising individual to one who only had the sky as his limit. Showing superb pace, he quickened decisively away from favourite Min and Buveur D'Air to win by seven lengths. It was a sign of things to come.

2017 Game Spirit Chase
Switched to fences, Altior soared even higher than he had over hurdles.

He demonstrated his precocious ability as a chaser by taking on more experienced rivals Fox Norton, Dodging Bullets and Traffic Fluide and slamming them. For context, Fox Norton had won the Shloer Chase the time before and subsequently won at the Aintree and Punchestown festivals, as well as finishing second in the Champion Chase.

Nico de Boinville celebrates Cheltenham Festival success on Altior in 2017Credit: Matt Cardy (Getty Images)

2017 Celebration Chase
Victorious in the Arkle at Cheltenham after his Newbury win, Altior went to Sandown where he took on the Champion Chase winner Special Tiara – and it was no contest. Altior toyed with his decorated rival before scampering clear at the last to secure his 11th victory in a row.

2018 Champion Chase
Off the track between his Celebration Chase success and the Game Spirit Chase (which he won, of course), Altior faced his biggest challenge in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Not helped by an injury scare close to the race itself, Altior was alongside Min at the last but engaged his famed overdrive to surge clear up the hill to take the big prize.

2018 Tingle Creek Chase
Altior was establishing himself as an equine legend by this point, a position already held by Un De Sceaux. So when the pair clashed at Sandown in wretched conditions it appeared we were in for a classic, and that is what we got. Altior looked to have bested his rivals running to the last only to be headed again. However, that turbo kicked in and he was not to be caught.

Altior (right) defeats Un De Sceaux in a classic Tingle Creek ChaseCredit: Mark Cranham

Perhaps not his finest performance, but one that was remarkable both for the alacrity and effortlessness of his jumping but also that it was his 19th victory in a row – surpassing the achievements of Big Buck's. It was Altior at a time when he was truly invincible.

2020 Game Spirit Chase
Defeated by Cyrname in a ding-dong at Ascot the time before which did neither competitor any favours, Altior had one last chance to shine. Showing his talent and his tenacity, Altior forged on after the last to gain the final victory of a quite outstanding career.

Read more on Altior:

'It's time to say goodbye' says Nicky Henderson as his legend Altior is retired

Awesome Altior secures title for Henderson with devastating success

Henderson's health is tested as winning machine Altior digs deep to retain title

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-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