Altior to wear cheekpieces for the first time in Champion Chase

Trainer Nicky Henderson with Altior at Henderson's yard at Seven Barrows, Lambourn. Photo: David Davies/PA

Altior will sport first-time cheekpieces as he bids to regain his Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase title at next week’s Cheltenham Festival.

The 11-year-old secured the second of his back-to-back victories in the two-mile showpiece in 2019, but has endured mixed fortunes subsequently – losing his unbeaten record over obstacles when stepped up in distance in November of that year, before his Festival run last spring was scuppered by injury.