Altior’s return to the track after a long lay-off went spectacularly well for connections and all systems will now be a-go ahead of his trip to the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next month.
His facile defence of the Game Spirit at Newbury made it a perfect seven from seven over fences and last year’s Arkle winner is now a 4/6 shot to win the 2m chasing feature.
Ridden with supreme confidence by Nico De Boinville, Nicky Henderson’s stable star coasted past the 165-rated grey Politilogue to win with ease.
It was a stunning return to action following 287 days and a breathing operation for the 8-year-old and his handler was suitably impressed.
The Lambourn trainer said: "He has got so much pace this horse, I was fairly confident if he could get to the second-last upsides on the bridle, it would be hard for a horse to go with him from there.
"He has to improve a lot. He's had a nice time. The timing was good, he hasn't had a hard race, he hasn't even had his ground and he's beaten a good horse.
"You'd have to say that was perfection, from my point of view."
Willie Mullins’ Min, winner of the Dublin Chase when last seen at Leopardstown, is the next-best chance according to the layers, who have priced him up at 5/2. With Douvan coming next in the market at 9/2.
They'd have to improve a pile to get near Altior, though, and he'll surely be the cornerstone of many’s the fav-backers acca come March.
Results ➡️
