Altior claims Sandown honours

Horse Racing
Henderson rules out Kempton run for Altior

Altior rewarded favourite backers with a four-length victory over Un De Sceaux in the Betfair Tingle Creek at Sandown.

Sent off at 8/13, the eight-year-old bided his time before answering jockey Nico De Boinville’s call for more at the business end of proceedings.

The son of High Chaparral had only Un De Sceaux for company three from home but proved too good for Ruby Walsh’s mount, maintaining his unbeaten record over jumps.

Saint Calvados was third ahead of Sceau Royal but it was all about Nicky Henderson’s charge, who the trainer has said was in ‘absolutely terrifying’ shape ahead of the contest.

The Seven Barrows handle was equally as impressed after the race and admitted to feeling some relief.

‘That was special, I think that was really testing him today and, like Buveur D’Air last week, if he was going to get beat it would have been today,’ he said.

‘When you have genuine championship horses it is great people appreciate them, but it does make you feel the pressure.

‘They were four very good horses in horrible ground today and they’ve all run their best.’

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