The brilliant Altior on his way to winning at Kempton
The brilliant Altior on his way to winning at Kempton

Altior stretches unbeaten run to 16 in Unibet Desert Orchid Chase


Altior oozed class as he stretched his winning run to 16 in the Unibet Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton.

Sent off the 1/8 favourite, he tracked the freewheeling Special Tiara until going to the front shortly after turning in.

From that moment on it was only a case of how far for the reigning champion chaser as Diego Du Charmil (11/1) came through to give vain pursuit.

At the line 19 lengths separated the pair.

Sky Bet cut the winner to 4/9 from 4/7 for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase. Racing PR Manager Michael Shinners said: "Altior did what we've come to expect of him and he was a cut above his Kempton rivals. With Footpad beaten in Ireland it's even harder to see what can beat him in March."

"After yesterday's debacle and a few knocks here and there you get yourself in a fluster and start to worry about things," admitted Henderson.

"This horse has been great the last fortnight. Nico has sat on him and Toby (Lawes, assistant trainer) has been happy with him.

"We were coming back quickly (since the Tingle Creek) and we are going to try to come back quite quickly for the Clarence House (at Ascot). He is fit and I've just got to keep him fresh and well.

"After the Clarence House we will probably go straight to Cheltenham (Champion Chase) as we don't need the Game Spirit this season."

Henderson went on: "Walking back down I said out of 10 how can you not give it 10? If it was Strictly Come Dancing, I think he would have got 10.

"It is great to watch. Last season was a stop-start affair and we didn't start until the Game Spirit. It gets scarier every time, but it has been an amazing story.

"The amazing thing really is from Sprinter (Sacre) retiring you are lucky enough within a year to find another one that is getting very close to what he could do.

"They get to the point where anything bar that is sub-standard. They don't get beaten, but if they don't win by 20 lengths there is something wrong with them."

Regarding a crack at the King George next season after being tempted this year, Henderson said: "Everybody was trying to nudge us that way (King George), but it wasn't the right thing to do.

"If we get through this season, see what happens at the end of the year - we talked long and hard about it this year, so we'd think about it. He's not getting any worse - put it that way.

"I'd rather the King's Stand than the King George as he has so many gears. We know what gallop Special Tiara goes, as he is electric. He was having to take a pull the whole way through the race. That was nearly flawless and his jumping was great."


GET THE FULL PICTURE: Don't miss out on FREE video replays and our fantastic My Stable tracker. Log in now and become a Sporting Life Insider.

Related horse racing links

Like what you've read?

Next Off

Sporting Life
My Stable
Follow and track your favourite Horses, Jockeys and Trainers. Never miss a race with automated alerts.
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Click HERE for more information

Most Followed

MOST READ RACING

We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo