Nicky Henderson enthuses about wellbeing of Festival squad but may use cheekpieces to ensure veteran chaser is sharper
Altior could be fitted with headgear for the first time when he returns to the Cheltenham Festival next month, seeking to recover his crown in the
Queen Mother Champion Chase. Nicky Henderson said on Thursday there is a real possibility of cheekpieces being fitted to the 11-year-old to help his concentration after a disappointing defeat at Kempton’s
Christmas meeting.
When the subject was raised the questioner evidently expected Henderson to take umbrage at the suggestion that such a great horse might now need a bit of help in his races. But the trainer acknowledged he was thinking along similar lines and said: “No, you needn’t hide behind that sofa.