Nicky Henderson was left impressed by Altior and Vaniteux after they stepped up their preparations for the Cheltenham Festival with a racecourse gallop at Kempton.

The pair were part of a 13-strong Seven Barrows team that engaged in exercise on the all-weather circuit at the Sunbury course.

But it was Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle second-favourite Altior and leading Racing Post Arkle contender Vaniteux that especially satisfied Henderson.

Working alongside Theinval and Laurium Altior came through almost effortlessly in the hands of Nico de Boinville to pass both of his stablemates inside the final furlong of the two-mile gallop.

Vaniteux, also partnered by De Boinville, galloped with Josses Hill Buveur D'Air and Lough Kent and finished off his piece of work powerfully and in control.

Henderson told Press Association Sport: "These aren't trials by a very long way, they are just here having a nice time.

"Altior is going very well and he was very sharp. That's really all he needs to do now, and that is the same with all of them.

"With this out the way they can now cruise through to a fortnight's time.

"Vaniteux went very well and looked in good form. None of them have done anything wrong.

"When you see Vaniteux do that, you certainly wouldn't be looking to up him in trip at the moment, although he will go up eventually."

Henderson said there is little to choose between his Ryanair World Hurdle entrants Whisper and Bobs Worth after the pair worked with Broxbourne in the final group to take to the track.

He said: "That looked good from Whisper and Bobs Worth. Whisper, I am very happy with where he is at.

"This time last year we were having to desperately use Cheltenham as a preparation for Aintree. He ran a pretty good race at Cheltenham. He was bang there going to the last and just got tired.

"The winter has not been quite so bad this time but he wasn't quite right like a lot of our horses weren't in January.

"He and Bobs Worth ran disappointing races last time, to be fair. The last three or four weeks they have both been in excellent form.

"Whisper has been really good. He is as ready for this, as he was for Aintree last year. He won't need this to get him ready for Aintree.

"The World Hurdle is a difficult task but he's is in very, very good order.

"Bobs Worth would have enjoyed that. He loves to scrap up the hill at Cheltenham.

"There wouldn't be much between them. Whisper has the younger legs but both go there in good shape."

Completing the list of those horses to participate in the exercise were Bloody Mary Polly Peachum and Consul De Thaix