ALTIOR will attempt to bounce back from his shock defeat at Kempton with an outing at Newbury next month.
Trainer Nicky Henderson has pencilled in the Game Spirit Chase for his superstar – a race he won last season.
Now eleven, Altior’s incredible winning run of 19 came to an end last season as he was turned over by Cyrname at Ascot.
After a spell on the sidelines he bounced back in the Game Spirit but was then ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival with a small setback the day before the Champion Chase.
On his return this season he was again beaten, this time by Dan Skelton’s Nube Negra, after he skipped the Tingle Creek just weeks before.
And now Henderson has eyed up another go in the Game Spirit to try and spark his star to life before a go at either a third Champion Chase or a first run in the Ryanair over further.
Henderson told his Unibet blog: “Altior will go to Newbury on February 13th to contest the Game Spirit.
“He’s in very good form so I’m really looking forward to getting him out again.”
Stablemate and new flag bearer Shishkin was also in line to head to Newbury, but Henderson has a new plan for the red-hot Arkle favourite.
He continued: “Shishkin has the option of the Kingmaker at Warwick on 13th February where, it isn’t a problem if we bump into Allmankind.
“There’s also the Lightning Novices’ Chase at Doncaster on 30th January.”
As reported here earlier in the week, Buveur D’Air is in line to make his long-awaited comeback at Haydock next weekend.
Fellow Champion Hurdle hope Epatante is still on course to head straight to the Festival.
Gold Cup chances Santini and Champ look unlikely to clash before the big one.
Santini is in line to run in the Cotswold Chase on Trials Day at Cheltenham, with Champ set for a racecourse gallop prior to the Denman Chase at Newbury on the same day as Altior will run.
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https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/punters-left-scratching-heads-as-racing-continues-in-heavy-snow-at-chantilly-and-commentator-cant-tell-field-apart
