Saturday 29 April 2017 15:28, UK
Altior clinched the jumps trainers' championship for Nicky Henderson with a superb victory in the bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown.
Altior clinched the jumps trainers' championship for Nicky Henderson with a superb victory in the bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown.
The crack novice treated last month's Champion Chase hero Sizing Tiara with disdain as he brushed aside the Irish raider, who had set the pace until the second-last fence.
Altior (30-100 favourite) sprinted clear for Nico de Boinville to take his 100 per cent record over fences to six with a ruthless eight-length triumph.
Henderson said: "He's top class. I think we've always known that.
"He is very special and has done everything right throughout the year. I couldn't believe the price he was but people were probably more confident than I was.
"You know Special Tiara was going to set serious fraction but he always had it covered.
"When he won a bumper at Market Rasen we knew he was very good then. It's great to have something like him, he's very special."
De Boinville said: "He really is a star that shines very brightly. It's an incredible achievement for him and a great day all round.
"He was still a novice coming into open company. He picked up so well. It was just effortless."
