Nicky Henderson has revealed Altior will sidestep next Sunday’s rescheduled fixture at Newbury and head straight for the Cheltenham Festival in a bid to recapture his Queen Mother Champion Chase crown. The Seven Barrows handler had intended to let the 11-year-old bid for a fourth victory in the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase having previously finished runner-up on return to action at Kempton over the Christmas period in the Grade 2 Desert Orchid.
But with the cold snap causing the entire meeting to be pushed back eight days, Henderson believes Altior would not have enough time to get over his exertions ahead of trying to win the Champion Chase for a third time following victories in 2018 and 2019. His stable companion Champ, who has not been seen since landing the RSA at last year’s Cheltenham Festival in dramatic fashion, will now drop back in trip and take part in the 2m 4f Game Spirit rather than contest the Grade 2 Denman Chase over 3m on tegh same card. Speaking on his Unibet blog, Henderson said:
“With regards to Altior and Champ, under the current circumstances and having discussed the situation in detail with all connections involved, we have come to the conclusion that Altior will head straight to the Cheltenham Festival without a run beforehand. He is in excellent form, but he does tend to take his races quite hard and we have therefore decided to continue his preparation at home and almost certainly an away-day at some stage in the next 10 days.”
Altior is currently the general 8/1 second favourite for the Champion Chase, with Willie Mullins’ exciting youngster Chacun Pour Soui the odds on market leader at 10/11 with William Hill.
Henderson went on to explain why he thought the Game Spirit was the correct call for Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Champ. He added: “We have to decided to change things around with Champ, very much for the same reason and our close proximity to the Festival. He will now drop back down to two miles and contest the Game Spirit, instead of the Denman Chase.
“He hasn’t run for a year, so we could be in danger that three miles may be slightly too far for his first run of the season. He is a fresh horse and can be quite free in his races, so it would be harder to curtail enthusiasm and you’re never going to take as much out over two miles as you are over three.
“He could be keen and do too much, so in the interest of the Gold Cup being his ultimate goal, it is preferable to run over a shorter distance, which could stop him having a harder race than necessary and also help eliminate the risk of the bounce factor. He was a very useful horse over two and two and a half miles last season and I think that the Game Spirit could suit him well, both in the short term and the long term.”
Champ is currently a standout 12/1 with bet365 for next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Druid’s Altar is bound for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after getting back to winning ways in the Naas Rated Novice Hurdle. After scoring on debut over the obstacles, the Joseph O’Brien trained four-year-old found life too hot when third in a Grade 3 to Triumph Hurdle favourite Zanahahiyr and a well-beaten sixth behind the saem rival in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown.
Druid’s Altar then ran well wehn runner-up at Fairyhouse and took advantage of a drop in class when finding plenty after the last to beat Zoffanien by 2 1/4 lengths and justify 13/8 favouritism under Hugh Morgan in the 2m contest at Naas. His handler will now be hoping that the lightning can strike for a third time at the Cheltenham Festival for the son of Mastercraftsman, as the previous two winners of the Naas Rated Novice Hurdle – O’Brien’s Band Of Outlaws and Gordon Elliott’s Aramax – have gone on to win the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the four-day spectacular. Paddy Power immediately cut Druid’s Altar into 14/1 from 25s, for the Boodles. Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said:
“He has a good attitude and stays well. Hugh said he was better there with a bit of company, because he’s made it a few times. He was in top-class company on his last few races and it’s nice to get his head in front again. He’s done it nicely in the end and he seems to cope with most types of ground. He’s a big horse and will jump a fence some day.”
Elimay booked her ticket for the inaugural running of the Grade 2 Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with an easy success in the Listed 2m Opera Hat Mares Chase at Naas. The Willie Mullins trained seven-year-old took advantage of a drop in class having previously run a blinder when a three length runner-up to stablemate and Ryanair Chase favourite Allaho in a Grade 2 at Thurles. Under a confident ride from Martk Walsh, the JP McManus owned daughter of Montamartre was sent off a heavily backed 8/15 favourite and never gave her legion of supporters an anxious moment.
Mullins’ Yukon Lil and Gordon Elliott’s Shattered Love battled it out at the head of affairs, with Walsh content to sit in behind. Elimay then cruised into contention rounding the home bend and after taking up the running at the last strode effortlessly clear on the run-in to beat a rallying Shattered Love by 5 1/2 lengths.
Coral initially cut Elimay into 3/1 from 4s for the Mares’ Chase. However, she is now the general 5/2 favourite following constant support and looks a worthy market leader in my eyes. Speaking on Racing TV, Mullins said:
“That was a nice race to win and shows up Allaho’s form. It’s great to win the Opera Hat in honour of Valerie Cooper’s good mare and hopefully this mare might some day be as good as her. Mark was happy to let the pace materialise up front and the ground is quite boggy down the back. The further the race went, the better she was going and Mark was very pleased how she finished. That’s a nice stepping stone towards Cheltenham. I’ll have a word with connections, but I would imagine that will send us towards the Mares’ Chase.”