Altior in battle to be fit for Cheltenham

Trainer Nicky Henderson will do all he can to get Altior to the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham after revealing the horse has a lameness issue.

Altior suffered his first career defeat over jumps at Ascot in November, but bounced back on his return to his favoured two miles at Newbury last month.

All had been set for for an eagerly awaited showdown with Defi Du Seuil and Chacun Pour Soi at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

But Henderson said he discovered a problem on Sunday (Monday AEDT).

“Unfortunately Altior was lame this morning, due to an old splint that has been dormant,” Henderson said.

“It’s never bothered him before and typically it rears its ugly head now.

“We are working away and there’s lots we can do, we have two days, but it’s an uphill battle. We have the treadmill he can go on and it’s very cold water, which helps these things a lot.

“We have to keep going. We’re working away and we’ll either get lucky or we won’t.”