Altior collected a win on Saturday at Newbury, in what was his first run since his loss to Cyrname at Ascot towards the end of November.
After missing the big Boxing Day action of the King George and possible entries back at Kempton and Ascot, it was a long-anticipated return to track action for the Nicky Henderson-trained charge.
But the great 2-mile champion slipped back into gear, taking a win by three and a quarter lengths in the Game Spirit Chase.
Champion Chase 2020 Winner Odds*
Défi Du Seuil 2/1
Altior 2/1
Chacun Pour Soi 5/2
Cyrname 8/1
A Plus Tard 8/1
Cilaos Emery 10/1
Min 10/1
Politologue 20/1
Sceau Royal 25/1
Dynamite Dollars 25/1
33/1 bar
* (Betting Odds taken from Bet365 on February 9th, 2020 at 21:47)
Table of Contents
Altior back in the winner’s circle
Having had such an astonishingly brilliant career at 2 miles, Altior’s connections then ecided to step him up to a longer 2m 5f trip in November. That was at Ascot when Altior’s 19 race winning streak was brought to a close.
It was the exciting Cyrname who took down the then 1/3 favourite, sending shockwaves through the racing world.
But on Saturday Altior was at his favoured range and duly delivered a success over Sceau Royal. It was a good run as well as a whole. Altior looked as if he was running on readily at the end and had plenty to spare.
He was handled superbly by jockey Nico De Boinville. So with that race in the bag to sharpen him up, Altior will now go to the Cheltenham Festival 2020.
Ready for the Queen Mother Champion Chase
At the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, Altior will be looking to claim a third Queen Mother Champion Chase title. After the weekend’s success he is at 9/4 odds to do so* (betting odds taken from Bet365 at 02:31 GMT on February 10th, 2020).
The 10-year-old is going to have to pull out one of his great performances there though, as he takes on two of the pretenders to his crown.
Altior took plenty of support on Saturday for the win. He is now joint 2/1 favourite alongside Defi Du Seuil for the Queen Mother Champion Chase 2020 * (betting odds taken from Bet365 at 02:31 GMT on February 10th, 2020).
There is no way that Altior is going to have an easy run at Cheltenham. To get a third Queen Mother success and beat two highly-rated opponents he will need a special run. He will be taking on Die Du Seuil and Chacun Pour Soi is in the mix as well.
Stern opposition for Altior at Cheltenham
Chacun Pour Soi is on the rise and took a notable win by four and a half lengths over Defi du Seuil in a May fixture at Punchestown. Trainer Willie Mullins sent him out at Leopardstown in early February for a workout and he took a Grade 1 win at the Dublin Chase over Min.
Chacun Pour Soi is a 5/2 option for what will be his Cheltenham debut* (betting odds taken from Bet365 at 02:31 GMT on February 10th, 2020).
Defi Du Seuil just never seems to put a foot wrong. At least not this season. After a 199 days break he fought to a win over Politologue at Cheltenham. That was in mid-November in the Grade 2 Cheltenham Chase.
He followed that up by scrapping a victory over Un De Sceaux by a neck at Sundown in December. Defi Du Seuil then took down the same rival at Ascot in mid-January. That was by a far more comfortable margin of almost three lengths.
Race of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival?
The Queen Mother Champion Chase 2020 should be special. It may well be the race of the entire meeting to see those three go head to head. They all have very strong claims and each will attract plenty from punters.
Altior will be hoping that his famous turn of speed can be called upon to get his third success in the race. Cacun Pour Soi was back in fantastic jumping form in the Dublin Chase. Then there is Defi Du Seuil who has battling qualities and grit in spades.
Altior will have silenced some of his doubters with that win in the Game Spirit Chase. Can he collect that third title at the Champion Chase next month?
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