Countdown to Cheltenham: Decisions to be made over Altior and Metier as Warwick and Newbury called off

The inevitable has been confirmed this morning, with both of this Saturday’s major Jumps meetings called off amid freezing weather. 

Newbury was due to host Britain’s most lucrative handicap hurdle, the Betfair Hurdle, as well as key Cheltenham trials in the Denman Chase and Game Spirit Chase, but the meeting has been abandoned and moved to next Sunday, February 2, little more than three weeks before the start of the Festival - more on that anon. 

Soon after Newbury was axed, Warwick followed suit, though having been rescheduled for this coming Monday, it is unlikely to hinder Festival preparations. Arkle contender Allmankind heads the line-up for the meeting’s feature race, the Kingmaker Chase. 

Altior not certain to head for Newbury

Trainer Nicky Henderson says he will weigh up the “pros and cons” before deciding whether to run Altior in next weekend’s rearranged Game Spirit as the window for recovery ahead of the Festival narrows. 

Champ remains likely to take up his engagement in the Denman Chase ahead of the Gold Cup, having yet to appear on a racecourse this season, while Henderson has confirmed that both Buzz and Mister Coffey are still intended runners in the Betfair Hurdle.

It may be Harry Fry that has the biggest decision to make on that front - his charge Metier had been favourite for this Saturday's running, but is also second-favourite for the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham, which now takes place just 23 days later. 

Lostintranslation finding his way back 

Joe Tizzard, assistant trainer to father Colin, says Lostintranslation is in “quite good form” and will run at either Newbury’s rearranged meeting or at Ascot next weekend. 

Last year’s Gold Cup third has disappointed in two starts this season - well-beaten at Haydock and pulled up in the King George - but there is hope that a recent upturn in yard form after a difficult season for the Tizzards can catapult him back into Cheltenham contention. 

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