Nicky Henderson: certain people really tested my patience with Altior comments

Nicky Henderson has revealed his frustration over Altior's setbacks in the last two seasons and said certain people "tried his patience" with their reaction to the horse's withdrawal from the Tingle Creek Chase earlier in the year.

Henderson was speaking to the Racing Post for a major interview in Sunday's newspaper, which also features a look at the incredible rise of Cheltenham Festival's top jockey Rachael Blackmore.

Henderson trained two winners at that meeting after starting on the back foot when Altior had to be withdrawn from the Champion Chase because of a bacterial infection.

"We got lucky 19 times in a row and now all of a sudden we can't get it right, which is just very frustrating," said his trainer, who is now aiming the 11-year-old at Sandown on April 24.

Altior: had to bypass the Cheltenham Festival because of a bacterial infectionCredit: Edward Whitaker

"That's why we all say we hate the build-up to it because you know that even if you start with a big squad, they ain't all going to get there. It's sod's law and losing Altior was a bitter blow.

"People probably think the horse doesn't even exist but he was in terrific shape and I was confident he was back on top of it. We galloped him on the racecourse with a visor on and it made a very big difference to him – we were ready to go."

It meant Altior has still run just three times in almost two years. Asked if that period has tried his patience, Henderson said: "No, but when I took him out of Sandown at the beginning of the season, that tried my patience, or certain people did, very much so.

"It frustrates me that I've got a very good horse that I can't run. But it frustrates me even more that people who don't understand think that you've got to run a horse in abominable ground when you know it's the wrong thing to do because that's the right thing to do for the public."

Nicky Henderson: 'You've got to do what's best for the horse'Credit: Edward Whitaker

He continued: "That's the decision I made when I ran him at Ascot in 2019. I couldn't take him out – that race had been billed as the race of the year. I wanted and needed to take him out that morning but I couldn't do it because I owed it to the public.

"I learned that day, unfortunately, that you can't do that and you've got to do what's best for the horse."

Members can read our interview with Nicky Henderson plus the Big Read on Rachael Blackmore from 6pm on Saturday or in Sunday's Racing Post newspaper. Join Members' Club here.

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