Altior is odds-on to return to Cheltenham for the Queen Mother Champion Chase rather than head for the long distanced Gold Cup.

The Nicky Henderson trained superstar has been the undisputed champion at two-miles and was unbeaten in 19-races before this season.

It was decided in the off-season that Altior would switch to three miles – looking to become one of the greats of the racing world, but in his first race he was beaten at Ascot by top-trained Cyrname in November.

Altior had been set to compete in the Boxing Day landmark race the King George at Kempton Park – but he has now been switched to the Desert Orchid Chase on Friday instead.

Henderson said: “The ground at Kempton will be better than most places and that’s why we are going there.

“Nico (de Boinville) was not happy with him the other weekend, but he was happy with his work this weekend and he schooled phenomenally during the week.

“I’m pleased with him now and hopefully we can get him back on track.

“It is not what we were hoping for. In our heart of hearts we really wanted to run in the King George. I’m gutted. So is owner Pat Pugh and Nico.”

Bookmakers are now convinced that Altior will look to become only the second horse to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase three times in succession, following on from Badsworth Boy.

Coral make him 2/5 to run in the Queen Mother at the Cheltenham Festival, with it being 12/1 for him to take part in the Gold Cup.

“Altior’s four previous Cheltenham Festival wins have come over two miles, and with Thursday’s King George proving a step too far for him this season, we reckon he’s most likely to bid for a hat-trick of wins in the Queen Mother Champion Chase when March comes around,” said Coral’s David Stevens.