TRAINER Philip Hobbs believes a resurgent Altior still has a point to prove.
His Defi Du Seuil is neck-and-neck with Nicky Henderson’s star in the Champion Chase betting after Altior bounced back to form at Newbury on Saturday.
After Altior’s stuttering campaign jumped into gear in the Game Spirit, the bookies made the pair 2-1 joint favourites for what is being billed as the race of the Festival.
But Hobbs insists it’s hard to read much into Saturday’s Grade 2.
He said: “I think it’s impossible to tell from Newbury whether he is totally back to his best.
“But he’s obviously run a much better race than he did the first time.”
After Altior’s unbeaten run was ended grimly by Cyrname at Ascot, and a reported abscess held him back further, Defi Du Seuil had been the one to beat.
Defi Du Seuil 2-1
Altior 2-1
Chacan Pour Soi 11-4
A Plus Tard 8-1
Cilaos Emery 10-1
Un De Sceaux 16-1
Sceau Royal 25-1
Politologue 25-1
Dynamite Dollars 33-1
Hobbs’ star is unbeaten this season having won two Grade 1s in the Tingle Creek and Clarence House.
A resurgent Altior makes for a thrilling prospect at Prestbury Park but Hobbs – who still has a Ryanair option with Defi Du Seuil – is up for the scrap.
He added: “We said from the start the Champion Chase is the most likely target, and his season has gone extremely well, particularly the last time.”
Henderson is thrilled to have Altior back on song and can’t wait for the clash at Cheltenham.
He said: “This is the best Queen Mother for some years. Altior will have a big fight on his hands, and we will be in for a hell of a race.
“Everyone is saying about Defi Du Seuil and Chacan Pour Soi being his main rivals – and we respect them – but we are back in the game.
“Newbury was an important day in his life, given all that had been said and written about him. Some said he was gone, but we never doubted him.”
