NICKY Henderson’s Altior continued on his merry way at Kempton on Thursday, cruising away with the Grade 2 Unibet Desert Orchid Chase, thereby making it 16 wins on the spin. He has never been beaten over obstacles and, while these things can never be taken for granted, it is hard to imagine how that will change.

At 8/1 on, this was little more than an exercise gallop. The admirable Special Tiara made the running but was feeling the strain with three to jump, where Altior went on.