Altior is odds-on favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase after a winning comeback described as ‘perfection’ by trainer Nicky Henderson.
Newbury’s Betfair Super Saturday meeting also featured a successful return for Colin Tizzard-trained Gold Cup hope Native River in the Denman Chase and a victory for Amy Murphy-trained 8-1 co-favourite Kalashnikov in the Betfair Hurdle.
But it was the effort of Altior which was the most striking in the Game Spirit Chase.
With his season disrupted after requiring a breathing operation, 1-3 favourite Altior had not run since April and Henderson feared the gelding’s unbeaten record over obstacles might be vulnerable.
But on ground softer than he prefers, Nico De Boinville’s mount toyed with runner-up Politologue, the Paul Nicholls-trained Tingle Creek Chase winner who is third favourite for the Champion Chase, as he pulled four lengths clear.
Henderson, who admitted he had been nervous prior the race, said: ‘If you could have dreamt what could have happened that would just about of been it. That was perfection. He has so many gears and he has class. Pure class.
‘If he was going to get beaten today was the day. He was more vulnerable than he is ever going to be.
‘Good horses are still going to turn up at Cheltenham and take him on but we can now go there happy.’
The Newbury test showed the work on Altior’s breathing has been a success.
Henderson added: ‘He took a blow between the last two fences which is why Nico had to sit still for a moment and wait but it was exactly what we wanted.
‘He has had three bits of work since Sandown in April. The danger is his work is so easy. We have some good horses but haven’t much that can go with him. There must be a lot of improvement in him.’
Henderson’s delight was matched by Tizzard, who has slowly brought back Native River after he picked up a ligament injury when third in last year’s Gold Cup.
Richard Johnson-ridden Native River was cut to 6-1 to go two places better at next month’s Festival after he had made all the running to see off Ruth Jefferson-trained Cloudy Dream 12 lengths to win the Denman Chase for the second year running.
Tizzard said: ‘It was an ideal prep for the Gold Cup and as long as he’s OK in the next 10 days, the dream is still alive.
‘When they turned to the cross-fence the two greys were travelling very well, but he’s a good jumper and when Richard asked he went away almost effortlessly. He’s such a good horse.
‘I’m sure he’ll improve, it’s race fitness isn’t it? The cards were dealt for us when he had ligament trouble. This was always going to be his first race.
‘We were getting a bit jumpy when the frost was forecast as we needed this race before the Gold Cup.’
Cloudy Dream is set to drop back in trip and run in the Ryanair Chase at the Festival.
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is the target for Kalashnikov after his Betfair Hurdle win by four and a half lengths from Willie Mullins-trained Bleu Et Rouge.
Newmarket-based Murphy, 25, is Britain’s youngest trainer and has only held a licence for a year and a half.
A former assistant trainer to Luca Cumani, where she was the work rider to Postponed, she trains the son of Kalanisi for her father Paul.
Murphy said: ‘He’s so tough because, as Jack said, he was never travelling and hated the ground.
Cloudy Dream is set to drop back in trip and take part in the Ryanair Chase at the Festival
‘He has given us no reason to go anywhere else and I think you have to stay at two miles for now.’
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle sponsors Sky Bet make Kalashnikov 8-1 (from 20s) for their race.
Trainer Anthony Honeyball, whose best horse Fountains Windfall suffered a fatal injury on Friday, landed the Listed Bumper with Acey Milan.
The 11-2 shot was a 100th win of the season for jockey Brian Hughes.
Saint Calvados booked his place in the Arkle Chase with a 22-length win in the Betway Kingmaker Chase at Warwick for trainer Harry Whittington and jockey Aidan Coleman.