Altior wins the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury

Altior returned to winning ways in the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase at Newbury racecourse. The 10 year old had recently seen his 19 race winning streak come to an end with a defeat to Cyrname back in November 2019 with many doubts being cast over him ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.

The two time Queen Mother Champion Chase winner came up trumps in his return, ending the race with a comfortable finish on the home straight. Altior came into the final fence in third place however he managed to put the race to bed by bolting up the home straight and winning by over 3 lengths to beat second place Sceau Royal.

Jockey Nico de Boinville stated after the race: “We have still got more improvement to come. His turn of foot from the last was devastating.” Boinville’s ride was his 13th in a row on Altior and will now look forward to riding the gelding at the Cheltenham Festival.

Altior Champion Chase bound

Following on from his victory today Altior’s odds have been slashed by the bookies, now sitting as joint favourite with Defi Du Seuil to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Both Altior and Defi Du Seuil sit at current odds of 2/1 to win the Champion Chase whilst the other hot contender Chacun Pour Soi is current odds of 5/2.

Many have tipped Defi Du Seuil to take home the 2020 Champion Chase following on from the geldings exceptional form this season, however Altior will be looking to prove his recent critics wrong with a victory in the Champion Chase for the third time.

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