He’s a winning machine on the brink of equalling a modern-day winning sequence — so why has three-time Cheltenham Festival winner Altior yet to fully capture the public imagination? Nico de Boinville steers Altior to victory in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the 2016 Festival. Two narrow successes followed before Altior ended 2015 with a 13-length victory at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day. Buveur D’Air, now bidding to become only the sixth horse to win the Champion Hurdle three times, could only manage third. All was well until 48 hours before the Champion Chase when Altior was found to be lame.

Source: Irish Examiner March 12, 2019 21:45 UTC