NICKY Henderson has given Altior the option of both Ascot and Haydock this blockbuster Saturday.
But the king of Seven Barrows has indicated the Christy Chase at Ascot and a clash with Cyrnameis still Plan A.
Unbeaten in 19 starts over jumps and dominant in the two mile divisions of late, connections of Altior are set to step him up in trip this season starting Saturday.
The King George is his early season target and Ascot has long been seen as the perfect starting point.
Henderson said over the weekend at Cheltenham that the forecast was encouraging for Ascot and that would be the aim with the Betfair at Haydock only a backup if Ascot was off.
Should Altior line up at Haydock, he will face the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Bristol De Mai – winner of the race in each of the last two years and bidding to become the third three-times winner after the legendary Kauto Star, who won four renewals between 2006 and 2011, and Cue Card.
Twiston-Davies is also set to saddle Charlie Hall Chase winner Ballyoptic, while Cue Card’s former trainer Colin Tizzard has confirmed the exciting Lostintranslation and Elegant Escape.
The potential field is completed by Frodon, who will bid to provide Paul Nicholls with a record seventh victory in the race following Kauto Star’s four triumphs and the two wins of Silviniaco Conti.
Altior and Cyrname are two of five initial entries for the two-mile-five-furlong Grade 2 at Ascot.
Completing the quintet are Keeper Hill, Solomon Grey and Top Notch.
