2016 Cheltenham Festival ante post plays: Altior in Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Altior then showed good battling qualities to beat Maputo by 1/2 a length in a messily-run Grade 2 contest at Cheltenham, before romping to a 13 length success over Open Eagle at Kempton when last seen in action.

The manner in which Altior quickened and put the race to bed in the latter marked him out as potentially something very special.

Form supports punt on Altior

Open Eagle had previously beaten Double Island by 2 1/4 lengths at Fairyhouse, and the runner-up finished a 21 length third to Min when last seen in action.

That line of form suggests there is not much between Altior and Min, and I firmly believe that there is plenty more improvement left in the locker of the former.

Altior has shown that he has a high cruising speed and potent turn of foot, but his victory at Cheltenham also showed that he had guts.

Previous Supreme success spurring Henderson on

To get a combination of all three is a rare thing, and Altior hails from a stable who know what it is required to win the Supreme.

Henderson has won the Grade 1 contest twice, courtesy of River Ceiriog (1986) and Flown (1992), and has had a number of horses run well to make the frame in recent renewals.

At the current odds on offer, Altior looks good value to give the Seven Barrows handler a third success.

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Coral’s ante post play: Altior at 6/1 to win the 2016 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.