Sandown on Altior agenda
Thursday 15 March 2018 11:43, UK
Nicky Henderson is favouring another crack at Sandown's bet365 Celebration Chase for Altior following his Queen Mother Champion Chase victory at Cheltenham on Wednesday.
The eight-year-old won the Grade One prize last year and Henderson is leaning towards that two-mile event on April 28 rather than stepping up half a mile for the JLT Melling Chase at Aintree.
Henderson said: "He was fine this morning. There were bits coming down the hill where you thought he was not travelling as well as he might be, but luckily he got there.
"Nico (de Boinville) was very good. He never panicked and he let him find his feet. When he pulled him out, he quickened up very well - he really kicked on.
"At the moment, Sandown is what I would be thinking. You could go to Aintree over two and a half miles and I don't think you would have any worry over the trip.
"Of course they had a hard race yesterday and, to be fair, you get another two weeks until Sandown. It is a Grade One race now so why not go back there? It just gives us a little bit more time."
