Altior wins Queen Mother Champion Chase
Altior has won the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham to remain unbeaten over jumps.
Altior has risen to his toughest challenge yet to extend his unbeaten record over jumps to 18 in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
The Nicky Henderson’-trained superstar gave his supporters some anxious moments when he was headed by Sceau Royal approaching the final fence after leading into the straight.
But as ever , Altior relished the Cheltenham hill, seeing off Sceau Royal first and then repelling the late challenge of Politologue to oblige at odds of 4-11.
“What an absolute monster and aren’t we lucky to be in an age where he’s here. We should just celebrate him. He’s a phenomenal athlete. He doesn’t know how to lose,” jockey Nico de Boinville said.
The win was Altior’s fourth successive victory at the famous meeting, a feat equalled by Tiger Roll in Wednesday’s Glenfarclas Chase..
His 22-length win was a welcome change of luck for trainer Gordon Elliott who had endured a luckless start to the festival.
“Everyone knows it’s been a rough week. Horses haven’t been running up to par, a few of them haven’t been good enough and things haven’t been working,” he said.
“This horse has won at four Cheltenham Festivals now and a Grand National. He’s our first winner of the week and I won’t forget him.
“To win at four Cheltenham Festivals is class.”