Races
REWIND | Altior’s rise to the top continued in the 2016 Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton
Nicky Henderson’s talent cemented his Arkle chances with success at Kempton five years ago
After two comfortable victories over fences, Altior was sent to Kempton to further establish his dominance in the novice chase division in the 2016/17 National Hunt season.
Nicky Henderson’s star had landed Grade 1 honours three weeks previously, seeing off Charbel by six lengths in the King Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown.
Lining up as the 1/9 favourite in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase, the then six-year-old tracked the leading pair of Marracudja and Stephanie Frances throughout the opening stages.
Altior pushed into second after the seventh fence and barely got into second gear when taking the lead at three out.
The gelding continued to cruise in the home straight, jumping flawlessly and using his pace to clear away from Marracudja and win by an impressive 18 lengths.
Altor would go on to win the Arkle that season, as well as setting a new jumping world record of 19 consecutive wins two years later.
Henderson’s chasing talent is due to line up in the Celebration Chase this weekend, in an attempt to land a fourth successive victory in the contest.
You can check out our previews for both the Celebration Chase and the bet365 Gold Cup on our sister site Cheltenham.co.uk.
