Altior in great form reports Nicky Henderson as he makes his seasonal reappearance in the Betfair Exchange Chase at Newbury

NICKY HENDERSON reports Altior to be in 'tremendous form' ahead of his seasonal reappearance in the Betfair Exchange Chase.

Henderson's star chaser heads to Newbury for his first run since having a wind op, and Henderson hopes this is just a stepping stone for the Champion Chase.

He said: "Everything has gone so well in the last three weeks, touch-wood.

"What is frightening is that he finds his work so easy. He is telling us he is in tremendous form and he is working as well as he ever did. He is just a very good horse."

Henderson had previously considered heading straight to the Cheltenham Festival with Altior but changed his mind.

"In the interest of getting him to Cheltenham I think a race is the best thing for him," the trainer continued.

Altior may have to be at his best with Paul Nicholls' Politologue lining up against him. 

Owner John Hales said: "Whatever happens on Saturday won't necessarily happen at the Festival because it will be on a different day on a different track and different ground.

"Obviously Altior is a very good horse, he's unbeaten over fences and is a fantastic horse - it will be some race."

The three-runner field is completed by the long-absent Valdez.