ALTIOR’S comeback might have stolen many of the headlines last weekend, but, in overall time terms, two other winners eclipsed him, namely Native River in the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury and Saint Calvados in the Betway Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick.

Like Altior, Native River was returning from nearly a year off and faced just two opponents. Unlike Altior, Native River ensured a good pace and had his rivals in trouble some way out.