Star chaser Altior produced a scintillating performance to beat Un De Sceaux in a vintage renewal of the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park, and the Nicky Henderson-trained raider is now an odds-on favourite to retain his Queen Mother Champion Chase at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival.
Minutes before the off the heavens opened and the rain battered down on the four runners which would've certainly played into the hands of Un De Sceaux, but Altior showed why he is regarded as one of the finest two-mile chasers in recent times as he managed to outbattle his Irish rival.
Nico de Boinville had a scary moment in the early stages of the race as Altior stood off at the second fence, but the Seven Barrows' raider was able to get to the other side and from then on it was a fight against his three rivals.
Saint Calvados and Sceau Royal struggled to live with the two proven top class two-milers and they had to battle it out for the minor honours, but as Un De Sceau made Altior work all the way to the line it was the reigning Champion Chase hero that pulled clear after the jumping the final side alongside each other and Altior is now as short as 8/11 with some firms to bag a second Champion Chase title.
Unbeaten over hurdles and fences, Altior is now primed for another unbeaten season culminating in a trip to Prestbury Park in March, and having already won at the festival in the last three years then it would be no surprise to see him reign supreme yet again and today's Tingle Creek Racing Result will live long in the memory.
Altior wins the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at @Sandownpark from Un De Sceaux!