The Game Spirit Chase was Altior’s first race since the defeat at Ascot as the horse had to sit out the busy Christmas schedule with an abscess. The Game Spirit Chase, also known as the Betfair Exchange Chase became a Grade Two event in 1992. Founded in 1953, it was a limited handicap race before then. Used as a trial for the Cheltenham Festival, many of the runners take part in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
It was the returning Dynamite Dollars, winner of the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase who made the early running. The Paul Nicholls trained horse looked in contention after a fall at the water jump by Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase winner Bun Doran.
It was, however, the 1-3 favourite Altior, ridden by Nico de Boinville who had the explosive pace to claim the victory. After safely jumping the final fence, the Altior’s famous turbo kicked in, and the horse sprinted clear to win by three and a quarter lengths with 9/1 Sceau Royal in second and 12/1 Dynamite Dollars finishing third.
Nicky Henderson admitted the defeat by Cyrname in November was “not nice” and was hard to take but praised the horse for the response, saying;
We’ve had a few hiccups along the way, but we’re getting there. He was keen early and enjoying himself. He took a blow just before the second-last, but what he really liked was the way he put it to bed – the gears are still there.– Nicky Henderson, Altior Trainer
Henderson said that the Newbury win had done the horse a world of good and despite the pressure after the surprise defeat but added that he was always confident. Henderson said he felt “Ascot was a mistake all round and it wasn’t his scene. It was just bad luck. He was back on his ground today and has had a lovely time”. Bookmakers have slightly reduced Altiors price for the Queen Mother Champion Chase; the two-time winner won the 2018 event by an impressive seven-lengths over Min (Willie Mullins). Last year’s race was a much closer affair with Altior finishing a length and three quarters from Politologue (Paul Nicholls). A win at this year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase would make him only the second horse to win the race three times, following on from Badsworth Boy, who triumphed in 1983, 1984 and 1985. Bookmakers are currently pricing him as the favourite @3/1.
