BET365 CELEBRATION CHASE (GRADE 1)

THE National Hunt season could hardly have bowed out with a more resoundingly popular victory. When Altior, arguably the most glittering star in a sport which has scaled new heights these past few years, made all to win Saturday’s Grade 1 bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown, it was his 19th consecutive victory over jumps. He therefore passed the 18 recorded by Big Buck’s a few years ago to claim a new world record; also, he has never been beaten over obstacles.

Nicky Henderson has often made the point that two miles is short enough for Altior (1/6) these days. He was not quite right in himself when winning the first of his Queen Mother Champion Chases two years ago and briefly looked like surrendering his outstanding record when pressed on either side two months ago. He has battling qualities, however, and they were apparent again last week as Nico de Boinville, setting out to make all the running, administered a reminder three from home.

Altior responded and was still just in front at the last with Sceau Royal challenging. He then put his head down and went clear up the hill to score by two and a half lengths with God’s Own three lengths away. It was a determined, workmanlike effort as opposed to a brilliant one but, as Henderson says, the time has come to step him up in trip and the King George at Kempton next Christmas beckons. What a prospect!

“He was telling us today ‘go further’, so that’s what we’ll do,” the trainer said. “There’s not much point in doing it to take in the Ryanair, so you’ve got to go for the King George. How we set it up I’m not quite sure but we’ve got the summer to think about it. As Nico said, he had to keep the revs up the whole way and he was going a good rattle, but his jumping keeps him going like that.”

Henderson gives interviews with a smile and has time for everyone but there is little doubt he feels the strain.

“It was hell,” he said after Cheltenham in March. “It’s like hitting your head against a brick wall. The only nice bit is when it stops.” Winx’s trainer Chris Waller used different words to describe much the same feeling.

Looking on the bright side of an already glowing picture, many onlookers would say Altior has more chance of extending the record over longer trips than he has over two miles. He is a magnificent competitor, a true superstar at a time when that accolade is habitually overworked. As De Boinville said, “He’s a class act and it’s almost like he doesn’t know how to lose.”

Let’s hope he never remembers.