02 February 2023 , 18:30
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Legendary jumper Altior is out of danger following a severe bout of colic which had left him critically ill.
His trainer Nicky Henderson broke the news on his Unibet blog, saying he was over the worst and ready to return to Mick and Chloe FitzGerald who were looking after Altior in retirement.
The two-time Champion Chase winner has spent nearly two weeks in equine hospital after falling sick with colic. He had to have part of his intestine removed in the first of two surgeries.
Henderson said he feared the worst at one time and praised the efforts of vets and staff at Donnington Grove in Newbury where he was under 24-hour watch while being treated.
“He’s had a great week and things have gradually improved which meant he was able to go onto solid foods a couple of days ago and has taken that well and everything seems to be working so we hope he is on the road to recovery," said Henderson.
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
“There have still been a few nervous moments but he was getting brighter and brighter as the days went on and it has been amazing how far he has come.
“It’s very rare for any horse to survive what Altior has gone through, and I’d go as far to say that this was as deep as you could go, his chances were not very promising at all.
“But as we’ve all said before, he must be a very tough and brave person to overcome what he has. He was a fighter on the racecourse and is most definitely a fighter off it as well!”
Altior: won 21 of his 26 start including two editions of the Queen Mother Champion Chase (Getty Images)Henderson thanked the public for their good wishes and get well messages.
“He’s still receiving plenty of TLC and certainly won’t be ridden or doing very much for a few weeks or more but the most important thing is that he is still with us and should hopefully continue enjoying a deserved happy retirement.," he said.
Altior, who is now 13, won 21 of his 26 starts, including a 19 race unbeaten streak. He won the Champion Chase twice in 2018 and 2019 on his way to becoming the highest-rated horse in training, with a peak mark of 175.