Henderson decides to pull Altior out of Tingle CreekPosted on Saturday 5th December 2020 @ 08.07

Nicky Henderson has pulled favourite Altior out of Saturday's Betfair Tingle Creek Chase amid concerns over the heavy conditions.

The trainer announced on Friday night that he'd decided the 10-year-old - who was the odds-on favourite - would not run following more rain at Sandown.

Altior's withdrawal leaves a field of five for Grade 1 contest with Paul Nicholls' duo Politologue, who won this race in 2017, and Greaneteen hoping to give him an 11th victory in the Sandown showpiece.

Explaining the tough decision to pull Altior out, Henderson said: "It is with a heavy heart we have decided that Altior is not going to run. We simply don't want to bottom him again given what happened last year.

"Everyone has seen how testing the ground was today and we're not going to ask him to do it again. It's tough, and if there was any further rain forecast we may have left the decision until the morning, but it will be very holding ground and very hard work."

Altior loses his chance to make it 16 wins from 17 with his sole defeat to date, when he lost at Ascot on similar ground just over a year ago, clearly a key factor in Henderson's decision.

Harry Whittingon's Rouge Vif, Pat Fahy's Castlegrace Paddy and Brewin'upastorm for Olly Murphy make up the five Tingle Creek contenders.

Article Posted on Saturday 5th December 2020 @ 08.07