ALTIOR & BUVEUR D’AIR: Nicky Henderson’s star-duo to remain in training for next season

Nicky Henderson’s stable star’s Altior and Buveur D’Air will remain in training for the 2021/22 campaign, the Seven Barrows handler has confirmed.

The Lambourn pair, who share six Cheltenham Festival victories between them, both had two runs apiece this season after being plagued by injuries in the later stages of their career.

Altior, now 11, finished second in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton in December before going down to Greaneteen in the Celebration Chase at Sandown last month.

Duel Champion Hurdler Buveur D’Air, meanwhile, finished second on his first-course reappearance for 14 months at Haydock and followed up with a creditable fourth in the Aintree Hurdle at the Grand National Festival.

In an interview with the Racing Post, Henderson said: “Altior came out of Sandown terrifically well, he’s as fresh as paint. I wish there was another race for him in three weeks’ time as they wouldn’t see him.

“He’s come on for Sandown – that was his first run since Boxing Day and we had hiccups on the way. He’s improved a lot for the run. The idea is to go again and I’m sure we’d all like to have a look at him over two and a half, as it looks like that’s what he wants.”

On Buveur D’Air, the six-time British Champion Trainer confirmed: “He’s back at Martinstown on his summer holiday now but the plan is to bring him back next season.

“He ran a really good race at Aintree and there didn’t seem much point running him against those two-milers at Punchestown.

Henderson secured two victories at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival thanks to Shishkin and Chantry House, respectively, with the same two going onto win Grade 1’s at Aintree on their next starts to land a Festival double.

Following Energumene’s Punchestown win last week, Shishkin’s chief gave his thoughts on a potential meeting between the pair next season.

“It’s going to be pretty interesting. I don’t know when they’ll meet but it’s going to be some clash.”