Nicky Henderson left purring by Altior work

The brilliant eight-year-old has not raced this season after having undergone breathing surgery in December.

But his trainer is now considering running him in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on Saturday week as he builds up towards a potential assault on the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival for which he is even-money (non-runner/no bet) with Sky Bet.

Henderson told the Daily Mirror: "He was very, very impressive - brilliant. He moved sweetly, didn't take a blow and he didn't make any noises. I was very pleased. It was absolutely excellent - as good as ever.

"If it was very soft at Newbury, he'd be very unlikely to run in the Game Spirit, but if it was very good, there's a distinct possibility that he will."

Altior is unbeaten in six starts over fences and has not lost a race of any kind since April 2015.

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