Altior asserted his superiority of the two-mile steeplechase division with a victory in Wednesday's Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase at two miles at Cheltenham, a day the popular gelding was not at his best, according to jockey Nico de Boinville.

The even-money favorite, Altior closed from fifth in the final three furlongs to beat Min by seven lengths. God's Own finished third. Altior took the lead over the final fence after racing in traffic with three fences remaining.

de Boinville brought Altior to the outside in early stretch - in search of clear space - and got a response. Asked if he thought Altior was in trouble earlier in the race, de Boinville had a quick answer.

"Yes," he replied.

"He wasn't traveling as he usually does. The main thing that kept him in the race was he was jumping so well. At the top of the hill, we were beaten."

Despite the grim prospects, Altior was well-placed with two fences to go.

"When I got him a bit of daylight, he took off," de Boinville said. "He found the gears he's became famous for."

The race was marred by a fall by Douvan at the 10th of 13 fences. Douvan, the second choice in the betting who had not raced in a year because of a pelvis injury, was quickly on his feet and was walked off the track by jockey Patrick Mullins. Douvan was scheduled to be ridden by top Irish jockey Ruby Walsh, who was involved in a spill earlier in the day and was taken to a local hospital for x-rays on a leg.

Altior is unbeaten in eight starts over fences. Earlier this week, Altior had a minor scare when he had pus in the frog of a front foot. Trainer Nicky Henderson said on Tuesday that the setback would not cost Altior. He was proven correct on Wednesday.