What next for Champ? Nicky Henderson stumped after ruling out Irish raid

Nicky Henderson's programme book is set for some intensive scrutiny after he ruled leading Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup fancy Champ out of the Savills Chase at Leopardstown on Monday week.

The Grade 1 had been identified as the likely comeback target for last season's miraculous RSA winner, but the champion trainer has decided against making the trip with the JP McManus-owned eight-year-old, who had been a 3-1 chance for the Savills.

His Gold Cup odds range from 8-1 to 12-1, but Henderson has yet to identify the best possible starting point towards that target.

Nicky Henderson: 'He worked this morning and is just not ready for a mission like this'Credit: Edward Whitaker

"We're not going to go to Ireland," Henderson said on Friday morning after watching Champ gallop on his Seven Barrows slopes.

"We're very happy with him and he schooled beautifully on Wednesday. He worked this morning and is just not ready for a mission like this.

"If it was for something less aggressive than a Grade 1 and was on this side of the water, he'd probably be ready to run next week, but to go into a Grade 1 over there, straight in and when he'd be blatantly undercooked, would be a big ask.

"We lost a bit of time tinkering with his wind in the autumn, but we're really happy with him. He just hasn't quite got there, but if there was a Grade 2 chase in England he'd be ready. There isn't and Kempton for the King George was never going to be his track."

The Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham near the end of January and February's Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury are possible stepping stones, but Henderson seems eager to spot something sooner.

He added: "They're both too far away, but what else have you got? We're going to have to think about this. We haven't decided what, but wanted to say we aren't going to Ireland."

'I should have been banned for life' – Nicky Henderson opens up to Alastair Down (Members' Club subscribers)

The Lambourn trainer also saw Champion Hurdle heroine Epatante and stable star Altior work on Friday and was left purring.

Hot favourite for a second triumph in the Unibet-backed championship, Epatante is pencilled in for the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday week, while Altior – whose defection from the Betfair Tingle Creek this month came under the spotlight – is on course for the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase at the track 24 hours later.

"Epatante and Altior worked this morning and, in all honesty, I couldn't have wished for better, I really couldn't. There's a video on Twitter for anyone doubting Altior's wellbeing!" Henderson said.

"Nico [de Boinville] was thrilled with Altior, as was Sophie Candy with Epatante, who could be joined in the Christmas Hurdle by our Gerry Feilden winner Floressa, who will be entered and wouldn't be there as a pacemaker or substitute."

Read more:

Henderson at 70: five secrets to the success of his training empire (Members' Club subscribers)

'Look, love, you've got to calm down' – behind the scenes with Epatante (Members' Club subscribers)

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